Looking with the Eyes of the Spirit

The Samaritan woman at the well was just trying to get some water. Yet, her conversation with Jesus caused her spiritual thirst to be quenched with the eternal living water of the gospel. (John 4)

The lame beggar at the temple was just trying to get some money to live. But one encounter with Peter and John got him healed of his illness altogether. (Acts 3)

The Ethiopian eunuch was just riding along the road reading the Scriptures. But a talk with Philip opened his eyes to the revelation of Jesus' saving power that those Scriptures pointed to. (Acts 8)

Jesus, Peter, John, and Philip were able to recognize opportunities to minister the gospel. Jesus was able to look into the heart of the Samaritan woman and see all the troubles that she wrestled with. Peter and John knew that a few coins would not help the lame man in the long run. Philip heard the discerned that the Ethiopian eunuch was trying to find his way to God's Truth.

All of these men looked with eyes of the Spirit and was able to see each person where they were and allow the power of God to meet their every need.

How often do you look at those around you with the eyes of the Spirit? Do you just see people passing by, or do you look closer and allow the Lord to show you their needs? Once you see what is wrong, do you step out on faith and allow God to use you to meet that need?

We have been given a command to go into the world and share the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15). Sharing that gospel can start with just an awareness to our surroundings.

That person looking for a handout has a greater need than some money. Your friend who is agonizing over their marriage needs more than your words. The neighbor's child needs more than just an interested mentor.

They need the power of Jesus Christ.

You hold that power.

Don't let it go to waste.

Verse of the Day: And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

My Everything

Check out my post this month for EmpowerMoments!

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.  Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4, 5 NLT)

It took me a minute to figure it out. I was used to being at the top of my game; I wasn’t a stranger to losing, my life was blessed… I had no reason to think otherwise.

Then the trials came, the testing began, and God began to allow His purifying fires to burn. I started to lean to my own understanding. I trusted in my own strength, my own intelligence and my own knowledge to get me through. Yet, all that I had by myself was not enough.

And when I inevitably came up short, I grew frustrated. When I failed, I was depressed. When I missed the mark, I got angry. When I took wrong turns, I lost precious time.

Like I said, it took me a while, but I figured it out. Once I figured out that I had to make God my source, it all fell into place. God had to be my main source. Read the rest here!

Salty?

I love to cook. I love to watch cooking shows on television. I like reading cookbooks and picking out recipes that I'd like to try one day. I follow a bunch of food blogs. I especially love to eat really good food.

One thing I've learned in my food explorations is that seasonings make a world of difference. Get the wrong flavors on your ingredients, and you mess up the meal. One of the best and most simplest seasonings a cook can use is salt. It's presence magnifies flavor bringing joy to the taste buds. It's absence is often quickly noted and sends one searching for the remedy.

Jesus called His followers the "salt of the earth". (Matthew 5:13) We are called to be a desired presence in the earth. We are called to permeate the world around us and change it for the better. The effects of our witness should be openly known.

Yet too many of us are hiding our flavor. We don't want to be judged, persecuted, or labeled as strange. So, we try to assimilate with the world around us. We don't go against the grain. We overlook what disagrees with God's Word. We shy away from openly standing up for godly principles.

Oh, we're okay being "salty" around other saints. We can preach, sing, and serve in the church. Our "amens" are loud and clear in the sanctuary. Our flavor is turned all the way up when we get in the church walls.

But, this behavior is ultimately defeating. No one eats salt by itself. No one has ever enjoyed a nice big ol' bowl of salt.

Salt is always used to affect something else. It flavors any type of food you can bring to the table. It's The same principle applies to your Christian walk.
effectiveness is only realized when it is applied.

If you aren't flavoring the world around you, you're not accomplishing what Christ wants you to do. In fact, Jesus says that a flavorless witness is "good for nothing". (read Matthew 5:13 again)

Are you being the "salt of the earth"? Is the world being impacted by your presence? When you show up, does change take place?

Don't let your Christianity be "good for nothing"!

Verse of the Day: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13 (KJV)

Check That One Off the List!

The very reason I started this blog was to become more diligent with my writing. And, as an added bonus, I have been blessed to finally complete one of my life's goals: I have written a book! I'm so happy and excited about it all. God is truly showing me how blessed it is to walk in His calling.

It's finally here!

Days of Purpose and Destiny is a 21 day devotional encouraging you to live a life of divine purpose. You can check out more information HERE ON THE BOOK'S WEBSITE.

The book will be on Amazon/Kindle shortly.

BUT....

For those of you in the Chicagoland area, I would like to invite you to the book's launch party on this coming Saturday at the Washington Park Refectory from 2-5pm. I will be there selling ($10) and signing the book and there will be food, music, and giveaways as well.

Thank you all for being such an encouragement to me with my writing. I'm so grateful to all of you for your support. Even if you never commented or emailed, your reading of this blog has truly been a blessing.

Closer to God

Check out my article that is posted on EmpowerMoments today!

From the earliest I can remember, I have loved to learn. I was a voracious reader and read any and everything I could get my hands on. I was the child who wanted summer break to be over, so school could begin again. I read through encyclopedias and highlighted new words in dictionaries. I just wanted to know everything!

My spiritual journey has reflected the same characteristics. Even at a young age, I took notes on Sunday sermons. If something interested or intrigued me, I would research it more on my own time. My father, who was a pastor, would be the recipient of all of my curious questions on Christianity and the Bible. I loved attending conferences and workshops, and eventually my quest for knowledge led me to seminary.

Although we serve a majestic, holy and awesome God and will never be able to tap into the fullness of Who He really is, we have the privilege of getting to know more about Him every day. Our God does not stand off looking down on us. Through Jesus Christ, we are able to come close to the Lord and get to know Him intimately... CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST!

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer in America. Thousands of churches, ministries, organizations, families, and people are making a special group effort today to pray. With so many issues plaguing our world... so many challenges facing our nation... so many troubles impacting our communities... so many crises capturing our minds... prayer is definitely in order.

I encourage you to take time yourself to pray today. Take some time to go before the Lord to intercede for this nation. Talk to Him about what's going on in your part of the world, ask Him for His wisdom and guidance with the issues that are impacting your sphere.

In addition to that, I would like to encourage you to pray daily. I don't mean rattling off a list of wants and needs, but intentional, purposed, faith-filled prayers. So often we (yes, me too!) pray for all the wrong reasons. We pray to get something, we pray out of habit, we pray out of duty...

Yet prayer can do so much when it is done correctly. ...The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16b NLT) Our prayers have power! Our prayers can change things for the better!

It was prayer that helped Moses navigate the Israelites through the wilderness to the Promised Land. Prayer sustained Jesus through His time of ministry and prepared Him to go through His crucifixion. The united prayer of the apostles created an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to arrive. Prayer raised people up from their sickbeds, revealed the hearts of man to believers, rescued men from prison, and caused the foundations of our faith to be laid.

How has prayer impacted your world lately? Let's keep our hearts and minds in communication with the Lord not just today, but every day.

Verse of the Day: Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Working to Progress

In striving to be like Christ, sometimes I feel that the bar is set impossibly high. Yet, God's word instructs us to make Jesus our ultimate example in how to lead our lives. (1 Peter 2:21-25)

One facet of Jesus' character has be weighing on my mind lately. With the coming of Easter, I have been reflecting on Jesus' journey to the cross, and His response (or lack thereof) has been challenging me.

Jesus was falsely arrested. He was mocked and beaten by Jewish leaders. He was deserted by His disciples. He was questioned by rulers. Crowds, who just days before had heralded Him as their king, screamed for Jesus' death. Jesus was whipped, forced to carry His own cross, and nailed to that cross. All the while, He was being mocked, berated, and cursed.

He never said a word in anger.

He never opened His mouth in rage.

He had no accusing words, hurtful retorts, or vengeful speeches.

Jesus was nothing but respectful and gracefully went through the trial that He faced. He kept the end goal in mind, and remained true to His destiny.

Often, we go through trials and attacks - mind you, no where near the level of attack that Jesus faced. Yet, we "forget" who we are and say things out of character. We arm ourselves with vengeful weapons and go into defense mode. We snap and say things we don't mean. We hurt those who hurt us. We do things that we regret.

We are called to be like Christ. We are challenged to be more like Him.

I am working on having Jesus' character in the face of an attack. I'm working on keeping my mouth closed to nonsense and only speaking words seasoned with grace and respect. I'm working on recognizing the enemy and not giving him any ground in adverse situations. I'm working on keeping my end goal in mind, and staying true to my God-given destiny.

We are all works in progress. Let's just make sure we're working to progress!

Verse of the Day: For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21