Thanksgiving Friday!

Good morning, everyone. It's FRIDAY! Aren't you happy to be alive? I am.

Today I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of Him and His sacrifice, I can have eternal life! Even beyond that, I am living a life that is full of worth. I have a purpose, I have a goal, I have a reason to be here. I am so blessed to know that I was created for a reason. It's warming to know that God formed me on purpose and placed me here strategically to help fulfill His awesome plan for mankind. God is so good!

God loved me so much that He sent His son to save me. His son, Jesus, loved me so much that He was willing to come! Not only was He willing to come to earth, but Jesus was willing to die so that I can live! He was willing to sacrifice Himself so that I can come boldly to God's throne and speak with the Father face to face.

Today, I'm just overflowing with gratitude and thanks for the the Lord. Even when I mess up and make mistakes, that same love is still there. When I blatantly disobey, my God's mercies are new every morning. I'm so blessed!


(Isn't it great that God loves you just as much too?)
 
I count it a privilege and an honor to serve a God like this. As a Christian, all I was asked to do was to go forth and tell about my wonderful Savior who gave His life for me. Looking at all that was given in order for me to be redeemed, that's not too much to ask.
 
What are you thankful for today? What things are you cherishing in your life today? Give God a praise!

Verse of the Day: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

The Right Time

This morning I was cruising through my social media apps and I ran across some pictures of an event one of my colleagues hosted. Viewing those pictures was like seeing one of my dreams in real life except I was supposed to be there! I was supposed to be the host! I was supposed to be the one smiling in those pictures.

My heart felt a twinge of pain seeing someone else enjoying something that I had set up as a future goal for myself. And then I wondered if I should pursue what I had in mind at all. Would it now be seen as copying? Could it be as special if someone else had already done it?

But then I had to look at myself. I had had that idea for a long time. I did nothing with it. I just tucked it in the back of my mind for a later date. I couldn't be that mad. My friend had the same idea and ran with it. She put in the work, and she got to enjoy the benefits of her labors.

Then again, maybe it wasn't time for me to strike out. Maybe it wasn't my time to do that project. Maybe I was supposed to hold on to that idea for some more development to come. Who knows?

What I do know is that God doesn't bless us with dreams and desires just for us to sit and let them bounce around in our brains. He doesn't give us inspiration just because. He wants us to go out and do something. He told us to go into the world and preach His gospel. We can't just stand by while the world whizzes past.

Even if I wasn't supposed to move on my idea, I should have been at least covering it in prayer. That's one something I should have been doing. I need to be more focused on God's instructions for me in order for me to know that I am exactly in the spot He has for me. That will save me from looking at others and feeling disappointment about myself. When you know you're in God's will for you, you don't worry about what someone else is doing.

Do you have dreams and visions bouncing around in your head? Are you communicating with your Heavenly Father about the timing of those ideas? Do you know if you're in the right spot for your life right now?

Let's all begin anew today. Let's all take some time to pray and ask God to guide our footsteps. Let's all make an effort to follow the directions that God has for us. Let's use other people's success for our motivation not our disappointment. Let's all make the moves to get on God's timing and see how the glory of God shines in our lives as a result.

Verse of the Day: I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8

Who Are You Attracted To?

Lots of people give their respect away off of superficial things. If we see someone pull up in a nice car, step out in fancy clothes, carrying expensive bags, hanging with 'popular' people... we look at them with admiration.

We give them credibility merely because they have money and status. We treat them differently... better than others. We want to get close to those types of people. We want to be like them. We want them to like us. We imagine ourselves parading around with their things and dreaming of the day when we can fraternize with the 'popular' crowd.

Yet those people really don't have anything of value to give us. Even if they traded wardrobes, bank accounts, and friends with us... we still wouldn't be better off.

Ruth was a woman who knew how to recognize what was really valuable. When her husband died and she had nothing left, Ruth chose to stay with her mother in-law Naomi, a widower herself. Naomi had no money, no status, no rich connections. In order to eat Ruth had to go behind the threshers in the field to pick up the wheat they had left behind.

Why would anyone want to choose to live that way?

Ruth recognized the value of the God that Naomi served. She recognized the integrity and the spirit of her mother in-law, and Ruth wanted that in her own life. She chose a life of poverty in order to be rich in spirit.

As a result of Ruth's wise choice, she eventually became rich in every area of her life. She married the owner of the field she was picking up scraps from, she bore children, and God blessed her to be at the head of the lineage of King David whose lineage led up to Jesus Christ.

Who do you find yourself gravitating to? Are you attracted to what people have going on outwardly? Or, do you look at their character and listen to their words? Do you study how they live? Can you recognize when someone is close to God? Do you get close to those who are in true relationship with the Father?

Don't get so caught up in outward things that hold no real value. Make sure you are drawing close to those people who will feed your spirit. You'll benefit overall in the long run.

Verse of the Day: ...but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:14b-17

Got A Question? Ask!

Reading through my Christian blogs and websites this morning, it's apparent that the church is recognizing all the change going on, and people are wondering if some of those changes are going to drift over into the church. Young people are asking questions about their faith. Some folks are challenging established beliefs. Christians are wondering if in this 'evolving' world, should the church evolve too?

What I love about our faith is that God is always there to talk with us and show us more of Himself. When we have questions, He will take the time to answer them. When we have concerns, He will find ways to alleviate them. We just have to be open to seek out the answers and keep our ears listening out for His voice.

Jesus was a living example of our relationship with God in His interactions with the disciples. Whatever questions they had, reasonable (How many times should I forgive?) or borderline (Which one of us will sit on your right hand?). Jesus made sure He answered. Even when the Pharisees and Sadducees came with their questions rooted in disbelief, Jesus answered every one.

There is no question too great. No question to silly. No inquiry too small for God to handle. Even when the apostles were trying to figure out how to minister and fellowship with Gentiles, through prayer and God's wisdom, they were able to get an answer.

What questions do you have about your walk with God? Are the changes around you causing you to wonder about what to believe? Even if your views are unshakable, do you think about how to relay those beliefs to others in a loving manner?

We have a God who is always there and holds all the answers. We just have to seek Him out and trust that He will answer our questions. Sometimes seeking God takes some work. We may have to read our Bibles a little deeper. We may have to study and pray more than we regularly do. We just might have to sit and wait on the Lord's still small voice.

Just know that your searching is not in vain. Know that the answers you seek are coming. When God shows up, there won't be a shadow of a doubt left in your mind as to what to believe. One thing we can rest assured in: God is thorough.

So ask away! Look to the Lord for the answers that you seek. You'll definitely find them in Him.

Verse of the Day: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7, 8

Remember Your Journey

Right now my church is in the midst of preparations to celebrate 25 years of ministry. When you think about it, God has kept us for a long while!

Looking back, it has been fun to reminisce about the wonderful times our church family has shared together. It's been inspiring to look back on memorable messages, conferences, and speakers. It's been impactful to see how God has carried us through trying times. It's been heart warming to see how the love of our congregation has matured and grown over the years.

Since I literally grew up in my church, looking back over the years I have seen how my own journey in Christ has developed. I've been blessed to see how I've grown and matured over the years. I can mark some things that I've overcome, and I can see those things that I have yet to conquer. I can mark how God has revealed to me and shaped my purpose. I can see how my love and relationship with Him has grown.

Do you ever look back on your Christian life? Do you think about how long the Lord has kept you or meditate on what He has helped you to overcome? Do you consider how much the Lord has revealed to you and how your relationship has grown?

It's good to sit and take note of how far you've grown. It will encourage you in your faith walk, and it will inspire you to keep going! Remembering the trials of yesterday that you were able to overcome with the Lord will help you to face the situations of today. Remembering the times you felt hopeless and lost will help you to stand strong and walk with surety right now.

Make sure you take time to thank and honor God for how far He's brought you. Take a moment and look back over the road you've travelled. You've made it this far with God's help! Now, look forward to the challenges ahead. Is anything too hard for the Lord? If He brought you to this spot, He can most certainly take you to your goal!

Verse of the Day: I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. Psalm 77:11

Thanksgiving Friday! List Edition

Usually I write out my thanksgiving praises to God here on Fridays. Today, I have so many that I decided to do a list of what I'm grateful for this week. Below are 10 things I'm thanking God for in no particular order.

1. My dad is gaining weight! Jesus is a healer...
2. The play is tomorrow! It's going to be so much fun.
3. Water. I love water so much! It's so refreshing.
4. My job. I'm thankful for shortened hours this week. Hallelujah!
5. Sunshine. Yes, it's been hot in the Chi, but a few months ago we were praying for warm weather. So, Lord, thanks for answering our prayers!
6. My family.
7. My goddaughter. She 'graduated' from pre-school this week, and she was her class valedictorian! Thanks, God, for blessing me with such a wonder!
8. Joy and Peace. In the midst of anything I can count on God's joy and peace to sustain and keep me.
9. Vision. I am working towards God's promises for my life, and I am grateful that He has greatness in store for me!
10. You - Yes, you. I am thankful to God for blessing me to have you to encourage me to continue in my purpose. Just having you there to read and comment on my blog encourages me more than you can know! I'm grateful to have the chance to interact with you. Even if all you do is log on to read, I am grateful for your participation with this blog.

So, what are you thankful for today? I'm sure God's been doing great things for you too! Why don't you take a moment and give Him some praise?

Verse of the Day: Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalm 30:11, 12

Purified

Today, people are big on drinking filtered or bottled water. We have our own bottled water dispensers in our homes and at our jobs. We have gadgets that we use to attach to our faucets that will filter the water that flows from our taps. We even have filters in our refrigerators to give us cold filtered water any time we want.

No one wants to drink water they feel is contaminated. Everyone wants the water they drink to be purified. Even though we know that the water we get for pennies out of the tap is 'safe' to drink, we would rather pay dollars for the water that we know has gone through extra purification processes. Because of our desires, the bottled water business is booming.

In the same way, God desires our spirits to be purified as well. After we turn to Him, He wants us to go through the processes that will take away the sinful habits and mindsets and turn us into purified spirits that reflect the God that we have accepted.

In the book of Revelation, God spoke to the Laodiceans about how their behavior was before Him. The church of Laodicea had not fully committed their lives to the Lord. Yes, they had accepted His Son, but their actions did not fully reflect their Christianity. They chose to rely on their own riches and strength instead of fully surrendering to the Lord. As a result of them staying complacent in their faith, God said that He would reject them. (Revelation 3:16)

Once we accept Christ, it is our responsibility to submit ourselves to the purification process of the Lord. In this process, we must fully surrender ourselves to the purging power of God. We have to allow our will to become subject to His will. We have to rid ourselves of what He doesn't like and take on what He does.

It is a process. It doesn't happen overnight. Yet, in the end, we will come forth like pure gold, shiny and pure, sparkling with God's holiness.

Verse of the Day: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15, 16

God's Got You!

In Psalm 56, David is praying to God for deliverance from his enemies. In the verses, David tells of being afraid and crying because of the way he is being targeted by evil men. Yet, in the midst of his despair, David had chosen to trust in the Lord. In the midst of his fear, David had decided to stand on the promises of God.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee... (Psalm 56:3)

Who do you run to when you are afraid? Do you run to the Lord? Or, do you only trust yourself to handle dire situations?

Maybe you do turn to the Lord, but do you turn to Him trusting that He can handle what you are facing? Do you come to Him with assurance that He can deliver you from the hands of your enemy?

David made the declaration that he would never fear what a man could do to him. He knew that with the God of the Universe on his side there was nothing the earth could present that could overtake him. He knew that with a cry to the Lord, his enemies would be turned around because God was fighting for him.

In the time of trouble, we should cry out to the Lord trusting in His righteousness and strength to save and deliver us. We should face the world with no fear because we know that we have the ultimate Winner on our side. There is nothing on this earth that can override the will of God.

As long as we're in His will, we have nothing to fear.

We just need to remember to call out to our Savior when trouble comes. We need to fill ourselves up with the Word of God, so we can have something to stand on when things get tight. We need to spend time with the Father to build a relationship so that our instinct is to turn to Him first before anyone else.

When trouble comes, you have someone who can keep you safe from all trouble and harm. Don't let the circumstances cause you to fear or falter. God's got your back!

Verse of the Day: When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Psalm 56:9-11

Right Obedience

When God blessed Abraham with a son, Abraham was overjoyed. He loved Isaac so much that God began to wonder if the child had taken first place in Abraham's life. To test Abraham's loyalties, God asked Abraham to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice to Him.

When Abraham heard the Lord's request, he didn't argue, he didn't complain, and he didn't talk back. He simply obeyed. Literally, the next morning, Abraham got up and set out to follow the Lord's command.

Abraham's heart had to be in turmoil and his mind utterly confused. Yet, he chose to obey the word of the Lord. Even when Isaac asked how they were going to make a sacrifice without a lamb, Abraham merely replied, "The Lord will provide the lamb."

When God saw Abraham's obedience, when He saw that Abraham was indeed willing to give his most prized possession up as an offering to Him, God intervened and spared Isaac's life. And the Lord did provide a ram in the bush to serve as the sacrifice instead. (Genesis 22)

Abraham endured this emotional test and passed God's challenge with flying colors. He obeyed immediately, he did not obey grudgingly or with the wrong spirit, and he kept his words in line.

Has God placed you in a challenge situation? He may not have asked you to sacrifice your child, but maybe He's asking you to sacrifice some time. Maybe He's challenging you to sacrifice in the area of giving. Perhaps He's testing you in the workplace.

Are you being like Moses? Are you simply obeying God without complaint? Or, are you talking back, questioning God's instructions, or even ignoring them altogether?

Our Father wants to know that He has first place in our hearts. He should take precedence over our jobs, our favorite hobbies, our friends, and even our families. He should be first always.

As our first love, we should have a deep enough relationship with Him to know that whatever He asks of us, He has our best interests in mind. We should trust that He will never lead us astray or cause us to fall. We should be assured that He loves us far beyond what we could think.

Maybe you are in a difficult spot. Maybe you feel that what God is asking you to do is unfair or painful. But, if we act in obedience like Abraham, the end result is God showing up and showing His love for us far beyond what we could have imagined.

Verse of the Day: If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. Job 36:11, 12

What Are You Expecting To Happen?

Yesterday I was inspired by a message by Joel Osteen. He was ministering on doing an act of faith to show God that you believe that He is going to answer you prayers. In the message, Joel mentioned the story of the lame man who was lowered through the roof and placed at Jesus' feet in a crowded house. As a result of their act of faith, their friend was healed.

This morning I am meditating on expectation. Those friends expected their lame friend to be healed. They brought him to Jesus on purpose expecting Jesus to heal him. And, even when they encountered a large crowd and couldn't get right to Jesus, they figured out a way to get their friend in that house because they knew that he would be made whole.

What are you expecting? Do you have anything up before the Lord? Are you expecting Him to answer your prayers? Or, are you just praying out of fear or formality or desperation?

When you expect something to happen, you act as if it's already done. You make plans based on that thing coming to pass. You look for signs of it showing up. You speak in terms that it has already happened. Your mind is set on what you are expecting and your mood matches that expectation.

Are you expecting the right thing? Are you choosing to stand on God's Word believing that it will come to pass just as He said? Or are you just hoping and wishing? Don't just hope with the Lord, stand strong in faith! Believe that His Word is true! Have faith that He is coming through for you!

It is faith that moves God to action. It is that positive expectation that the Lord will come through that prompts Him to do exactly that.

Verse of the Day: And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mark 2:4, 5

Thanksgiving Friday!

Happy Friday, Everyone! We are so blessed to be alive and kicking. God is so good! His mercies are new every morning, and His love towards us never fails! Even though we don't deserve it, He keeps on being faithful to us. We are blessed!

This week I'm thankful for purpose and vision. Earlier this week I had an opportunity to walk in my purpose and things went well. It's a stepping stone to the next part, but I'm grateful to be beginning on my journey. I'm also thankful for God's vision. There are so many things that He's showing me, and I'm being faithful to write the vision down to make it plain. Thank You, Lord, for blessing me with Your purpose and vision. I am thankful to have an assured expectancy in You.

I'm also thankful for my church family this week. We really know how to come together and work things out. We do things in love for each other, and try our best to do right by each other. We are a true Christian family in every sense of the word. Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to be a part of such a loving family!

Lord, I am so thankful that I can come boldly to Your throne and speak with You one on one. Thank You for giving me direct access to You. Thank You for listening to my prayers and answering them! I am so grateful that You allow me to get as close to You as I want. There is no one like You, and I am privileged to call You my Father.

What are you thankful for today? Take some time to glorify God today!

Verse of the Day: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Know No Fear!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to encourage one of my friends who was going through a tough spot. I normally try to encourage those around me who need it, but this time I was especially motivated to say something because I saw my friend slipping too far into worry and fear. My friend was starting to stress out and I could see that the enemy was trying to lead them down into depression.

When trouble comes sometimes it's easy to just grab hold to fear, worry, and despair. We concentrate on what could go wrong, we start to fear that the worst could happen, and we stress out over the negative outcomes.

As believers in Christ, we should never give place to the enemy's suggestions! We should never entertain his lies or the fears he presents to our minds. Yes, we have to be practical in life and think ahead. Yet, with our relationship to the Lord, we should be thinking ahead with victory in mind! There is no reason for us to fear, worry, or get depressed. Even if the worst possible scenario does happen, God has us in the palm of His hand. He is still in control. We will still gain victory in the end.

Don't allow the 'what-ifs' of life to pull you down into a negative place. With God all things are possible! With Him, nothing can overtake you! Stop focusing on the negatives and start thinking on the positives! Everywhere you look there is evidence of God's love for you! Just being able to breathe in and out is evidence that He is keeping you.

Yes, things may be looking dark. I understand that the prognosis may actually be grim. It may seem like everything is going against you. But even if the only thing you have to hold onto is the fact that you are redeemed by Christ's love, that is more than the whole world against you!

Don't despair. God's got you. Rest in the strength of His embrace.

Verse of the Day: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. Psalm 27:1-3

Seeking the Spotlight

We live in a time where everyone wants their piece of fame. If they're not lining up by the millions to go on reality shows, they're posting videos on YouTube. If they aren't on YouTube, they're begging for followers on Twitter.  If not on Twitter, they're agonizing over how many "friends" they have on Facebook. Parents are pushing their children to be the next great star and thrusting them onto world stages.

This world is crying out for their fifteen minutes of fame whether we want to see them or not.

Jesus warned about seeking notoriety. In Luke 14:11 He said, For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. I believe this is why so many people in the spotlight fall away so often. They've blown themselves up, and, in the end, they don't pass under pressure and scrutiny.

Jesus says that those who are humble will be exalted. Those who do things in secret. Those who act out of the kindness of their heart, not looking for acknowledgement. Those who choose to give of themselves whether they are thanked or not. These are the types of people God looks for to exalt.

God has given us all dreams and visions for our lives. Those dreams may involve you "blowing up" or becoming really well-known. There is nothing bad in making a name for yourself. It's the spirit that you go into that realm that determines things. Are you going after your dream to get yourself fame and fortune? Or, are you working to help enrich the lives of others? Are you working on your craft because you're so big and bad? Or, are you giving the talent or gift God has given you out as an offering back to Him?

God doesn't care about your status, fame, or fortune. He could care less how many people know your name or what great things you've been able to accomplish... even if it's in His name. What He does care about is your heart. He's looking at your motivation. He's looking at the state of your spirit.

Are you humbly going after your dream giving credit where credit is due? Or, are you going forth in a spirit of pride and selfishness only looking for personal gain?

Be careful how you go forth in your purpose and destiny! You don't want your arrival at the top to be short lived.

Verse of the Day: Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had...he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names... Philippians 2:3-5a, 8, 9 (NLT)

Right Giving

I used to be puzzled by the story of Cain and Abel. I always wondered what was so wrong with Cain's offering that God rejected it. It wasn't until I took some time to really study the story, that I realized the differences between the two brother's offerings.

Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. (Genesis 4:3b)

And Abel...brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. (Genesis 4:4a)

 

Cain brought an offering, Abel brought his first fruits and his best. Cain just gave to be giving. Abel gave the best that he had in gratitude to the Lord for blessing him. Abel didn't bring just anything to the Lord, Abel gave the best that he had. Cain just gave some of what he had.

 

Because Abel gave his best to the Lord, God respected his offering. Since Cain just offered up something and did not give his best, God did not respect Cain's offering.

 

How do you give? Do you give to the Lord just any old thing because that's what you know you have to do? Or do you give God your best?

 

Do you give to the Lord first, or do you take care of all of your needs first and then just give God whatever is left over? Does God show respect for your offerings?

 

Even though Cain's delivery was wrong, God still offered Cain a chance to get things right. You too have an opportunity to get your giving right if you've fallen off track. Don't be like Cain and get into bitterness and hatred. Just align yourself rightly in the sight of God. Choose to give to the Lord correctly and your offering will not be in vain.

 

Verse of the Day: And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Genesis 4:3-7

Evening Ti: God's Strength

We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us! There is nothing too hard, nothing too complicated, nothing too great for you to conquer. You can do it!

God in His awesome power directs our lives: He opens doors, allows us to experience different things, and shields us from danger in His omnipotence. If God has allowed it, you can handle it.

Too often we try to rely on our own strength. When we lean to our own understanding, we can dip into fear or even pride. Neither side of the spectrum ends well for us. When we fear, we hold ourselves back from something that great that God wants us to experience in order to learn, grow and prosper. When we get into pride, we think that we can handle it all and don't have a need for God.

Make sure that you are relying on the strength of Christ to get through whatever situation you're facing.  When you allow the strength of Christ to reign in your life, you'll find yourself overcoming things you never thought you could handle on your own. Allow God to be God for you!

Verse of the Day: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Post Coming Up Later...

Hey everyone! I have a speaking engagement today, and I'm really excited! I'll have some Ti on this afternoon.

Thanksgiving Friday!

Today I am thankful that I am about to experience a weekend full of purpose!

My church will be showcasing a gospel play called "Who Will You Answer?" this weekend. I helped to write this play, and I'll be doing the sound and lights for the performances. It is so cool to see something that you created bless other people. This play always gets rave reviews, and I'm praying for more souls to be added to the Kingdom as a result of all of my church's hard work in ministry.

This weekend I'll also be preparing to give a commencement address on Monday. I was truly honored to be considered, and I'm excited to have a speaking engagement talking to youth. It's my life's passion, and I'm glad for the opportunity to walk in purpose.

Lord, thank You for blessing me with the opportunity to honor You on this weekend! I give you praise for blessing me with creativity, leadership, and vision in order to get these things accomplished this weekend. I thank You for Your Holy Spirit who is always there to guide and direct my footsteps. I honor Your name because I have no reason to fear. You brought these opportunities, and I can go forward with assurance knowing that You are there to back me up.

What are you thankful for this week? Go ahead and thank your God for His blessings!

Verse of the Day: O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. Psalm 96:1-4

Big God

What's so great about God is that He can never be fathomed or contained. As long as man has been on the earth, as many scholars and ministers have searched the Scriptures, as deep as people have progressed in their knowledge of God - there is so much more that has gone untapped. We will never reach the limit. We will never know it all.

That's how big our God is. That's how great our Lord is. That's how much higher than us He is.

I take comfort in my great, big God. Because of His grandness, He comes up with solutions that I would never dream of. He finds ways to bless me that I could never figure out on my own. He's set up principles in His Kingdom that will cause me to live a blessed and favored life as I follow after His instructions.

He is so amazing!

What have you learned about your big God lately? How has your relationship with Him been enriched as you've gotten to know the Lord? What things in the Word have you come across that you are excited to learn and apply to your life?

Take some time today to give God some praise and thanksgiving. If you haven't had any new revelations about your big God lately, spend some time in His presence and in His Word and listen to what He reveals to you. Every day is a new opportunity for you to grow in God!

Verse of the Day: I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:1-3

Showing Love for All

In 2 Kings chapter 5 we find the story of a young girl who was taken into captivity by the Syrians. She was made a slave to the wife of one of the captains who defeated her country. Yet even while enslaved, the young girl displayed the love of God.

Her master, Naaman, was a leper. Seeing his sickness, the young girl spoke up. She mentioned to his wife that Naaman should go see the man of God because she knew that Naaman could be healed if he went to see him. As a result of this young girl's suggestion, her master was ultimately healed after following the prophet Elisha's instructions.

This young woman had every right to be bitter. She was taken captive from her home and she was now forced to be a slave to a family of her enemy. But, this young woman was not bitter. She recognized a need and knew how it could be fixed. She spoke up in faith believing that God would heal even her enemy. In showing her faith in God, she was able to give Naaman his miracle and ultimately show him that the Lord was the one true God.

Are you in a "captive" situation? Do you find yourself working with someone or in a situation that you see as totally against your favor? Don't get so caught up in what you see as a slight that you allow bitterness and anger to cloud your vision. Choose to remain full of God's love. Bless those that curse you. Do good to those who despitefully use you.

As you showcase God's love - even to your enemies - He may point out some problems that only He can fix. As you speak up in faith, you may be just the instrument to bring someone their miracle and ultimately lead them to the Lord.

Verse of the Day: And he [Naaman] returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel... 2 Kings 5:15a

No Need to Fear

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  - 1 John 4:18

I love this Scripture because at one time I had a problem of fear. I used to be afraid to talk to people, I was afraid of messing up, I was fearful of other people's views of me... I had so many worries and concerns that plagued my mind.

Yet in this verse I learned that there was no reason for me to be afraid. As I allowed God's perfect love to envelop me and to fill me, I experienced a strength and assurance that drove away fear.

God's love is so strong that He would do anything to save you. He gave up His only Son, so you could live. His love placed you in the right moment in time, the right family, the right country, with the right abilities and talents to fulfill your destiny. His love for you is so great He makes Himself available to talk to you whenever you want. He allows you to experience His awesome presence and to hear His personal words of wisdom straight to you.

With love like that, what do you have to fear?

There is no circumstance that can beat you. There is nothing a human being can do to you to cause you to fall. There is no sickness that can overpower you. There is no mountain that can block you. You have no reason to be afraid.

Why? Because God's love is for you. With His love, God will make sure you succeed. He will make sure your destiny in Him is fulfilled. He will take care of your every need and destroy your every foe.

All you have to do is allow His love to lead. All you have to do is trust in the love that saved you. All you have to do is allow yourself to become perfected in His love.

Verse of the Day: And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:16, 17

Stormy Days

Life is full of changes. We have days where everything seems to go right. We have days where everything seems to be falling apart. There are times that the sun shines bright, and there are times when the wind blows, rain falls, and clouds block our skies.

Stormy days have a way of unsettling us. No one likes to go through a storm. No one likes to have their world rocked beneath them. But, storms come to help us to grow. And, not all storms are bad.

In the Bible we have lots of examples of how storms can affect our lives.

Storms can come as a result of disobedience to God (sin). God decided to send a storm to cleanse the earth of sin. Only Noah, who was righteous in God's eyes was saved. Jonah ran straight into a storm that God caused because Jonah chose to run away from the call of God. It wasn't until Jonah volunteered to surrender his life that the storm quieted down.

But not all storms come as a result of sin.

A storm that Paul experienced also proved God's saving power. Even though the boat Paul was sailing on was completely destroyed, no one lost their lives and Paul was able to minister the gospel effectively to all that travelled with him.

Jesus used storms to point to the power of God as well. He showed the disciples that even the winds and the waves will obey words of faith. He showed Peter that you can even walk on water if you keep your eyes fixed on the Savior. Through Jesus' example we learn that we don't have to fear any storm that comes our way.

Maybe right now you are in the midst of a storm. Just because the winds may be blowing or the rain coming down, it doesn't mean that all is lost. This may be a signal that you need to ask God for forgiveness for a transgression that you did. Or it could be that you are going through a storm so someone else can see God's saving power. After you come through your storm unscathed, you'll be a better witness for the Kingdom.

Or, God may have possibly allowed your storm to come for you to use your faith. He may want you to grow in prayer or knowledge of His word. A storm may be just what you need to stand strong in the Lord and see what faith in Him can do.

So, yes, the wind blowing, rain falling, boat rocking, waves crashing, and dark skies may be the last thing that you want to experience. But God will never allow you to go through more than you can handle. There's a reason why you are going through the storm. Don't get so distracted with looking at the waves crashing around you that you start to sink. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and you will find yourself walking on solid ground while everything else is in chaos around you.

Verse of the Day: And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:37-40

Thanksgiving Friday!

It's Friday, folks! How was your week? My week was awesome!

This week I'm thankful for open doors. I was just telling a friend that we should always to hope. In one conversation, one phone call, one visit, one meeting... our whole situation could turn around. Right now things may be looking gloomy, but in one minute our whole horizon could change!

THAT, my friends, is what happened to me this week. Not that things looked gloomy, but in a moment a whole new horizon opened up in front of me! Thank you, Lord, for the sudden change!

I'm also thankful for forgiveness this week. I try my best to make things right when I know I messed up. I'm so grateful to have loving friends and family who forgive me when I make mistakes. It's hard saying 'I'm sorry' sometimes, but it's easier to do when you know that the other person will forgive your error. And, even if they don't, I have a God who will always forgive me no matter what! Thank You, Father, for Your forgiveness.

Finally, I'm thankful for joy. Life wouldn't be worth living if you couldn't have joy in the midst of it. We all want to lead happy, fulfilled lives. God's joy helps us to do that. It gives us strength in times of weakness, and helps us through trying times. God's joy eases many pains. Thanks, God, for your joy!

What are you thankful for this week? What wonderful things has God done for you? Make sure you show Him some gratitude today!

Verse of the Day: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25, 26