Pastor, Speaker, Author, Counselor
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God leads us where we never expected to go, so He can accomplish what we can never do on our own without Him.
Let us never focus on our circumstances, instead focus on Christ His goodness, love, and grace. If we truly believe God is good, then we should know that whatever He does, He is doing so to perfect us and conform us into the image of His Son. We should also know that He is with us, He is with us in our victories and He is with us when we have temporary setbacks, when we view this life in light of eternity, no matter what we face we understand it is only a flash of light across the sky. We are simply passing from this death we now dwell in, to life eternal with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us not just say I believe when things go our way, let our lives reveal our beliefs at all times, for this life is fragile and short, let's live it well, by living it for Christ first, and watch what He does in us and through us to change the world. God’s word says this: “Therefore, don’t be afraid of them, since there is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered and nothing hidden that won’t be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops. Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me before others, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:26-33 CSB “Jesus answered them, “Stop complaining among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to me — not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God. He has seen the Father. “Truly I tell you, anyone who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” At that, the Jews argued among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, because my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna your ancestors ate — and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:43-58 CSB “Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. “Now my soul is troubled. What should I say — Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for me, but for you. Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate what kind of death he was about to die.” John 12:23-33 CSB “For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.” Romans 14:7-13 CSB
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Don't believe for a moment we were created without a purpose, that we are not loved, for we are created for God, by God and we are loved by Him, eternally.
Don’t be confused about God’s will. God’s perfect will is that we live in an intimate relationship with Him. We were created for His glory, by Him for Him, to walk with Him, to worship Him and love Him as He loves us, God is our creator, and He wants a personal relationship with each of us. Right now because of God’s grace we are living in His provisional will, Jesus came to restore our relationship with God the Father, because we sinned against God, all of us have sinned and fall short of His glory, we messed up the relationship we were created to have with Him, God fixed it because He loves us. Jesus brings us into God’s perfect will, and He says come to me and I will give you life, for Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. His provisional will is still in place also, for He takes all things and works them to our good and His glory for those who love Him who are called by Him. Don’t think that tragedy, sin, and death, are God’s will, they are not they are consequences of sin and rebellion, for the wages of sin is death, but know this God is for us, He has a great love for us and nothing will separate us from Him. Once we surrender to Him, we are His for eternity, and He will work things out for us and Him. God’s word says this: “The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented him as an atoning sacrifice in his blood, received through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time so that he would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:22-26 CSB “For the creation was subjected to futility — not willingly, but because of him who subjected it — in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. Not only that but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits — we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but offered him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:20-39 CSB “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,..He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:3, 15-17 CSB “Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.”Revelation 4:11 CSB Our tendency is to become complacent where we are when we do, we stop observing and start being absorbed into our surroundings.
We forget that we are in a war, against our flesh, the world and the enemy of our soul, each battle is real and our flesh will betray us into the hands of our enemies for a meal, as Esau did Jacob. Reading through the Psalms you see this battle come to life, David who recorded most of them shared his battles, his struggles, his fear, his anxiety and failures, but he also shared his victory, his hope, God's grace, love and the fellowship he had with God the Father, and I love that God called him a man after His own heart, David was almost always in pursuit of his relationship with God. His imperfections are what kept him in that pursuit, and God used that to unite His kingdom and establish His throne on earth. Our imperfections are who we are, they remind us that we too need to pursue our relationship with God the Father, through Christ the Son, walking daily with them through the Holy Spirit, don't get complacent , we are in a battle against many foes, keep renewing your soul in the living waters of God's word, through and fellowship with other believers. The enemy wants to isolate us, let us unite, be God's people, people after His heart and watch as the kingdom of God grows in each of us and unites us against our enemies . God's Word says: “Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you. I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides you.” As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones. All my delight is in them. The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves will multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, and I will not speak their names with my lips. Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will bless the Lord who counsels me — even at night when my thoughts trouble me. I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely. For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay. You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.”Psalms 16:1-11 CSB “How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord’s instruction! Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart. If only my ways were committed to keeping your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart when I learn your righteous judgments. I will keep your statutes; never abandon me. How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. I have sought you with all my heart; don’t let me wander from your commands. I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. Lord, may you be blessed; teach me your statutes. With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from your mouth. I rejoice in the way revealed by your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. My life is down in the dust; give me life through your word. I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding. Help me stay on the path of your commands, for I take pleasure in it. Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in your judgments. The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep your words. I have sought your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to your decrees. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes. Instruction from your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn your commands. Those who fear you will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in your word. I know, Lord, that your judgments are just and that you have afflicted me fairly. May your faithful love comfort me as you promised your servant. May your compassion come to me so that I may live, for your instruction is my delight. May my heart be blameless regarding your statutes so that I will not be put to shame. I long for your salvation; I put my hope in your word. Give me life in accordance with your faithful love, and I will obey the decree you have spoken. Lord, your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven. Your faithfulness is for all generations; you established the earth, and it stands firm. I have solemnly sworn to keep your righteous judgments. Deal with your servant based on your faithful love; teach me your statutes. I am your servant; give me understanding so that I may know your decrees. I rise before dawn and cry out for help; I put my hope in your word. I am awake through each watch of the night to meditate on your promise. In keeping with your faithful love, hear my voice. Lord, give me life in keeping with your justice.” Psalms 119:1-2, 5-16, 25-32, 35, 43, 57-59, 71-77, 80-81, 88-90, 106, 124-125, 147-149 CSB Our words, our actions, our response to things around us affects others, right or wrong, people have an awareness of God in us.
The Bible tells us to expect two reactions others will have towards us, to some we will be an aroma of life to others, we will be the stench of death. We can't choose how others perceive us, and we shouldn't live our lives to please them, we should live our lives to please God, by faith. The world, the devil and our flesh try to overwhelm and overcome us daily, but take heart, stand strong for Christ lives in us, and He has overcome them all, and when we walk in obedience by faith, our impact is greater on those around us. If we truly want to be used by God as a living gospel, then to some people we are going to stink, and others we will be a sweet aroma, just like Jesus Christ. People came to Jesus seeking truth, healing, forgiveness, and salvation, to them He was life, others accused Him of crimes He did not commit, to them He was the aroma of death. Jesus still today is either an aroma of life or the stench of death, and we as His followers are the same, He is despised by the worlds media, denied by the liberal left, used when needed by the right to support their causes, let's face it Jesus is hated by the world. Jesus said if He was hated, we will be also. None of us like rejection, but actually, they are rejecting Jesus, not us, we take that rejection personally, it is time we understand this and stop worrying about it. Remember this rejection is unavoidable, people have rejected God from Cain to modern-day times. Let us replace our fear with passion, a passion for Christ and others, pray for boldness, pray for wisdom, pray the Holy Spirit to lead us and speak through us, and help us overcome rejection. Let our lives be an aroma of life to others, and maybe those who look at us as the stench of death will come to Christ as they see our faith is real. God’s word says this: “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they don’t know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin.” John 15:18-22 CSB “Summoning the Twelve, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. Then he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for the road,” he told them, “no staff, no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.” Luke 9:1-6 CSB “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For to God, we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 CSB “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.” Galatians 2:20-21 CSB You and I are commissioned to take the gospel message with us wherever we go, in all that we do in all that we say, we should be the living gospel message of grace, forgiveness, salvation, restoration, sanctification, and glorification, for the world to see.
The gospel message is not mere words written on paper, the gospel is Jesus Christ, His power, His life, and how He changes our lives daily! We carry within our hearts and minds the hope for all mankind, the gospel message changed us, and it still changes everything and everyone. Ask God to help us live a gospel filled life, that we will be lights in this dark world, that He shines His glory on us, so others will see Jesus in all we are and have. Are we living in the power of Christ, or the fallibility of our flesh? Are we living a life worthy of our calling? God's word says this: “Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20 CSB “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him, not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 CSB “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.” John 3:16-21 CSB “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.”Romans 1:16-17 CSB “Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people.” Ephesians 4:1-8 CSB We have grown so used to living off the blessings of God, that we have forgotten Him.
Churches abandon His statutes, His children abandon His word and ways, we trust in riches and in men, and have abandoned the Lord God as God. Have mercy on us Heavenly Father, draw us back to you, may we hunger for you alone, may we seek and find you again, may we thirst for you and abandon all the things we have replaced our love for you with! God forgive us, and restore us to your name, help us walk in obedience, forsaking the world may we seek and glorify you alone. My hope, my trust, my faith is not any one or thing, but you alone oh God for you are my strength and salvation. God’s word says this: “I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you attack as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering fence? They only plan to bring him down from his high position. They take pleasure in lying; they bless with their mouths, but they curse inwardly. Selah Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge. Selah Common people are only a vapor; important people, an illusion. Together on a scale, they weigh less than a vapor. Place no trust in oppression, or false hope in robbery. If wealth increases, don’t set your heart on it. God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: strength belongs to God, and faithful love belongs to you, Lord. For you repay each according to his works.”Psalms 62:1-12 CSB “You, Lord, are enthroned forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you continually forget us, abandon us for our entire lives? Lord, bring us back to yourself, so we may return; renew our days as in former times, unless you have completely rejected us and are intensely angry with us.”Lamentations 5:19-22 CSB “Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands. ”Matthew 15:7-9 CSB Everyone has a past, but that's exactly what it is our past, we were never perfect, we are not perfect now, we will not be perfect until we are in heaven with Jesus.
God in His mercy and grace forgives our past, changes our present and has already prepared a place for our future. There are consequences for our sins and choices, but even in them, God is there giving us His mercy and grace. Abraham went to Egypt, talked Sarai into going along with a lie to tell Pharoh that she was his sister, Sarai was beautiful and Pharoh wanted her for his own so he took her, and gave Abraham great wealth, then God punished Pharoh for Abraham's lie. Wait, what? yes God punished Pharoh, and Pharoh sent Abraham away with Sarai, and all the things he gave him, but Abraham didn't get off without suffering any consequences, although we don't read about them for a while. Abraham's nephew Lot, goes to Sodom and is told to leave, his wife looks back and is turned to a pillar of salt, Abraham gets his wife’s slave ( who came from his visit to Egypt) pregnant, and his children Ishmael from Hagar the slave and Isaac from Sarah, his wife dislike each other, and their descendants are still at war today. These events happened because Abraham didn't trust God, and he lied to save his own skin. But the good news is this, God took all this and changed the world, He forgave Abraham, He forgot Abraham's sin and we read that God was proud to be called his God, and God speaks of his faithfulness, not his failures throughout Scripture. From Adam to Zacchaeus we see God takes imperfect people and changes the world, and that is good news because you and I fall into this category of imperfect people and God can use us. He calls us to be obedient, but even in our disobedience He loves us and gives us mercy and grace, He works to help us and keep us on the right path, but we must do our part, we must learn to walk humbly with God, act justly, and love mercy, pray for others that they may be saved from the will of the devil, we need to flee our fleshly desires, not get entangled by the things of the world, but stay faithful and true to God the Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and be lead by the Holy Spirit in all things. This is our purpose, this is our call, this is Gods will for us all, most of the world will never open the Bible and read the stories God put in there, but they will read each of us and see how we live in the story of God in our lives. God's Word says this: The Story of Abraham, his sin and consequences are found in Genesis 12-19 “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 CSB “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the one who had promised was faithful. Therefore, from one man — in fact, from one as good as dead — came offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and as innumerable as the grains of sand along the seashore. These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac. He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.” Hebrews 11:8-19 CSB “You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: For if we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to fight about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness. Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:1-26 CSB God’s grace draws us to Him, to come rest, be redeemed, restored, renewed, to come live in His power of forgiveness and salvation.
He draws us to Him, not to condemn us but to restore us, restore us to a relationship with Him, to love us beyond what we can imagine, to protect and provide for us, He draws us close to Him to Father us. God has great plans for each of us, starting with restoration and healing, then moving in each of our lives to different ministries. Don't let anyone deceive you, your life matters, if it didn't God would not have created you: God will take us where we never expected to go, so He can accomplish what we can never do on our own without Him. Surrender to Him today the things you're holding back, come live in His grace, forgiveness, and love. God's word says this: “At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was your good pleasure. All things have been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal him. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30 CSB “When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him. A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Shepherd my sheep,” he told him. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.” So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them, the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”John 21:15-22 CSB Life will always have its troubles, trials, and tribulations they will always come and go, at times they will pounce on us leaving us only room enough to breath.
Take heart though for Jesus said He is with us, He will never, ever never, never leave us or forsake us. Throughout scripture we read of trials, tribulations, and troubles, God did not always stop them but He was with His children, take Daniel for instance, he was thrown in the Lions den for praying, God did not stop it but He was there and He delivered Him in the Lion’s Den from the Lions. He was in the pit with Joseph, in the jail with Paul, and on Patmos with John, just as He was with them He is with us. The very things that trouble us, Christ is in the midst of , don’t let our hearts be troubled, trust Him, He sacrificed everything for us, He went home to prepare glory for us, He will come to take us home, He alone is the way, the truth, and the life, with Him we have overcome the world, sin, sickness, poverty, death without Him we will be overcome. Yes, there will be times in our lives when things happen that we won’t understand, maybe we will never understand, when these trials come, we need to fall back on what we do understand God is for us, who can be against us? Nothing will separate us from His love and all things work for our good and His glory. As His children, we have all the power of heaven in us to overcome whatever comes our way. The world turns to all sorts of things to give themselves relief from fear, or anxiety to gain some courage, drugs, and alcohol are the most common form of numbing people pursue. But these are detrimental to our health, mentally, physically and spiritually. We need too take our fears, our worries and cast them aside, 85 to 90% of the things we fret over never take place. Fear and worries are only hindering our walk with Christ, He is the center of our faith, He is greater than anything we will ever face. Therefore our faith should be greater than our fears. God’s Word says this: “Darius decided to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, stationed throughout the realm, and over them three administrators, including Daniel. These satraps would be accountable to them so that the king would not be defrauded. Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm. The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. Then these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.” So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, “May King Darius live forever. All the administrators of the kingdom, the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den. Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed.” So King Darius signed the written edict. When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. So they approached the king and asked about his edict: “Didn’t you sign an edict that for thirty days any person who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands and is irrevocable.” Then they replied to the king, “Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, has ignored you, the king, and the edict you signed, for he prays three times a day.” As soon as the king heard this, he was very displeased; he set his mind on rescuing Daniel and made every effort until sundown to deliver him. Then these men went together to the king and said to him, “You know, Your Majesty, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes can be changed.” So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve, rescue you!” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him, and he could not sleep. At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. “Daniel, servant of the living God,” the king said, “has your God, whom you continually serve, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever. My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to take Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was brought up from the den, he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted in his God. The king then gave the command, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den — they, their children, and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Then King Darius wrote to those of every people, nation, and language who live on the whole earth: “May your prosperity abound. I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, and he endures forever; his kingdom will never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. He rescues and delivers; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for he has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” Daniel 6:1-28 CSB “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.” “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.””John 14:1-7 CSB “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.” Luke 12:10-12 CSB “Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 CSB Our identity in Christ is important, never forget that. It is one of the most important things in this life to know. Never let anyone tell you differently, our lives matters, God created us for a purpose, knowing that who we are in Him is life-changing.
It's time we started living in the power of Christ, and understanding we are sons and daughters of God, through Christ Jesus, today is the day to start living as who we truly are and who we belong to. We are redeemed, born again, children of God, victorious, chosen, blameless, free, saved, sanctified, glorified, holy and righteous, we are a temple where God lives, we are overcome, we are more than conquerors. We have been given authority over sin, over death, over life because of Jesus. Do you know that we are in the sovereign hands of God, that the enemy can’t touch us unless God allows it to grow our faith, and show us and others His glory. Do you know we are set free from the bondage of sin, we are no longer slaves to the enemy, they can suggest sin, but the Holy Spirit always gives us a way out. This list is not inclusive, we are so much more because of who Christ is, but we will never discover who we are in Christ until we pursue our relationship with Him. Start seeking Christ in every opportunity He gives us, start flooding your mind and heart with His word, in prayer learn to worship Him in all you do, walk in confidence of who Christ is and who we are in Him. God's word says this: “Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 CSB “The Jews surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me. But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:24-30 CSB “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the one who is born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true one. We are in the true one — that is, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” 1John 5:18-21 CSB “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. What the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. The mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you. So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs — heirs of God and coheirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.”Romans 8:1-17 CSB Let’s not stand in judgment over anyone and believe that God’s grace can not reach them, for all of us are born sinners, all of us need God’s grace, His grace has reached billions before us and will reach others after us until Christ returns.
What if God gave us the same grace we gave others, He measured out what we received based on what we gave, how would you do? God’s grace is just as much for the man or woman locked away in a prison as it is for the man or woman who sits in the church on Sunday. God’s grace is not bound by mankind or our barriers, it reaches through the darkness, the anger, the fear. His grace is limitless and free to all who will receive Him. He has changed the hearts of the wicked as well as the hearts of the self-righteous, I have seen it, I have felt it, for God’s grace has saved me, changed me. Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save it from all unrighteousness, let us never forget that, or forget we once all walked in darkness, and only by God’s grace and revelation did we receive Christ, pray for others always and know that God is at work in their lives as He is ours. God’s word says this: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.”John 3:16-18 CSB “What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin, 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. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment. For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law. But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented him as an atoning sacrifice in his blood, received through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:9-26 CSB “Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom. And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 CSB We can concentrate so much on healing when we are sick, or when we pray for others that we forget to focus on our Healer.
We can focus so much on our pain and suffering, that we don’t focus on the one who suffered pain beyond human comparison for you and I. When we focus on the problems we Incur daily, instead of Christ Jesus we start to dwindle and drawback, spiritually, physically and emotionally. Remember Jesus left everything in heaven, came and dwelt among us, was tempted in every way and more as we are was crucified on a cross the cruelest of ways to die, died and was buried, but rose again so we may live with Him because He loves us. We can focus on the problems in life, pain, sickness, betrayal, financial, marriage, family, death, life, or we can focus on Christ and walk with Him and trust Him to see us through. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said it so well, and this is how I have learned to live through the trials. “If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”Daniel 3:17-18 CSB God can heal us anytime on this earth, and we can pray for His healing power, but if He doesn't heal us, or help us in the present moment like we feel He should, He is no less God. We must trust Him, and know that He is working for His glory and our good, and there is nothing He does to harm us, He is with us and loves us, and He is still God. I ask for healing and perseverance for myself and others daily at times, and I open and surrender us all to Jesus, and put us into His hands, knowing we are in the will of God, in the Hands of God and He is with us, there is no better place we can be. Come rest in Christ today, and see all that He has for you. God’s word says this “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens — Jesus the Son of God — let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”Hebrews 12:1-4 CSB “I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in him in every way, in all speech and all knowledge. In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; you were called by him into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”1 Corinthians 1:4-9 CSB I am no longer shocked by the hatred, violence, or lack of personal responsibility in our nation or in our world. I am deeply appalled at the behavior of others. When we as a society kill unborn children on demand, redefine God’s word to justify our ways, wipe away morality and destroy the very foundations of truth with just a pen, when we can hate someone because of their skin tone or work ethics, or beliefs then we have abandoned hope, i believe sadly that this is the current state of dis-union we live in. What I am amazed at is God’s continued grace, long-suffering, patience, and love that He has for mankind, that we still walk this earth as wicked as we are, because God does not want any to die, but all to come to the saving knowledge of grace through Christ Jesus alone. Please do not take God’s common grace which we all live in now, as His saving grace. They are different one is temporary, the other eternal. When His grace ends there will be judgment, there will be a day where everyone who rejected Him will give an account for their actions, and it will be a sorrowful day for them. God’s common grace will end, then where will you be? God’s word says “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known. Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love — but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 CSB “Dear friends, this is now the second letter I have written to you; in both letters, I want to stir up your sincere understanding by way of reminder, so that you recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles. Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires, saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised? Ever since our ancestors fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” They deliberately overlook this: By the word of God the heavens came into being long ago and the earth was brought about from water and through water. Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded. By the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace. Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him. He speaks about these things in all his letters. There are some matters that are hard to understand. The untaught and unstable will twist them to their own destruction, as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures. Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”2 Peter 3:1-18 CSB We are called to stand firm against the enemy, we are told to put on God’s armor, we are told to resist the devil, sadly most people just don't get this, they do not see the Spiritual battle we are in.
Fighting back against the enemy involves, prayer, scripture reading, and fellowship, it takes discipline. It is easier to give in to the enemies demands, when we don't believe he is real, or we think well Jesus beat him so I don't have to do anything, so they go about living life, as usual, get up go, go to work, go to school, play, go to church repeat. The enemy does what we allow him to do, he is a liar, a destroyer, a thief and a murderer, he only deceives us and leads us from the truth, so others will not see Christ in us. We have to realize the battle we are in, ask God to open our hearts and eyes, we must choose to either submit to God’s authority or surrender our day to the enemy. I would rather walk with God through the valley of the shadow of death, than stand on the mountain with the devil looking at the world. We should always start our day by submitting it to God, through our day walking with God and end our day by surrendering our hearts and minds to Him as we sleep. It’s never too late to fight back, stand strong and pray, for yourself, your families, your neighbors, your community, your nation. God’s word say this; “When the king of Aram was waging war against Israel, he conferred with his servants, “My camp will be at such and such a place.” But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful passing by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” Consequently, the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had told him about. The man of God repeatedly warned the king, so the king would be on his guard. The king of Aram was enraged because of this matter, and he called his servants and demanded of them, “Tell me, which one of us is for the king of Israel?” One of his servants said, “No one, my lord the king. Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in your bedroom.” So the king said, “Go and see where he is, so I can send men to capture him.” When he was told, “Elisha is in Dothan,” he sent horses, chariots, and a massive army there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed, “ Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. When the Arameans came against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Please strike this nation with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, according to Elisha’s word. Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you’re looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. When they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “ Lord, open these men’s eyes and let them see.” So the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw that they were in the middle of Samaria. When the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “Should I kill them, should I kill them, my father?” Elisha replied, “Don’t kill them. Do you kill those you have captured with your sword or your bow? Set food and water in front of them so they can eat and drink and go to their master.” So he prepared a big feast for them. When they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. The Aramean raiders did not come into Israel’s land again.” 2 Kings 6:8-23 CSB “Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn’t come on my own, but he sent me. Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to my word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Who among you can convict me of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? The one who is from God listens to God’s words. This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God.”John 8:42-47 CSB “For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 CSB “Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit — which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:10-18CSB We live in an age of information overload, from smartphones to tablets, to 24-hour news channels, social media, newspapers, and magazines, our family and friends we are under a constant siege of information.
The problem is it is mostly negative, and negative information produces negative people, negative people produces a negative society and a negative society soon falls; for morality and thought are replaced with emotions and ideology. This is where we are today. People are so divided and driven by the negativity that they can no longer decipher the truth from lies, and in reality, they no longer want to, they are driven by the idea that they are right and you are wrong, end of the story, even when presented with overwhelming facts they refuse to see. God in His wisdom for all ages told us to remain sober-minded, to take our thoughts captive, to be self-controlled, the only way we can do this is with His help, with His word, with the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. When a person is drunk, they lose the ability to think clearly, they are controlled by their emotions and thoughts, according to FBI stats, 80% of crimes committed in America are alcohol-related, because people lose control of their reasoning and thinking. This same process is happening now without alcohol because people are being manipulated and controlled by the constant flow of negativity in this nation, and rational, clear thinking is being replaced by I am right, you are wrong. As Christians we cannot fall into this trap, we have the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and each other to turn to. We of all people must remain sober-minded, grounded in the gospel, holding onto the truth of God's word and standing strong in our faith. Remember we used to walk that way, but by God’s grace, He saved us so we can share His light and love, let’s not act the same way as the world but rather show them a better way. Today ask God who gives wisdom freely to lead you through the fields of deception and guide you in all truth, turn off the negative, plug into His word, join a Bible Study or a life group that is focused on Holy living,be heavenly minded and share the good news of Christ Jesus with a world desperate for truth, it is exhilarating, freeing and joyful to do so. We must dwell on the things of God, His word, His ways, negative and positive thoughts cannot dwell together in our hearts and minds, so we fill them with the things of God. God’s word says this: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him, not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.”John 1:1-5 CSB “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. “Claiming to be wise, they became fools”and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.”Romans 1:16-25 CSB “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”Philippians 4:4-9 CSB “Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.”1 Peter 1:13-16 CSB “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.” 1 Peter 5:8-10 CSB |
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