God reigns! God wins!

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

-Colossians 1:15-18 NIV

Hence: When all is said, done, argued over, debated, discussed, etc., God reigns! God wins!

UIKEYINPUTUPARROW

Sin unconvered

“…He will uncover your sins.” 

-Lamentations 4:22

When you come clean from your sins with humility and honest repentance, then healing, freedom, and mercy will soon abound!  However, continue in sin, utter humility and darkness will soon abound.

Friend, you pick!  If you are in the midst of deliberate sin, then one way or another, it will soon be exposed.  Make sure it’s exposed in the right way – by repentance and humility, because if it’s exposed in any other way your days and nights will be filled with consequences that humiliate your soul, thrusting you into a secluded darkness and propelling you into a pit that could of so easily been avoided.

 

This is the real exam

“Let us test and examine our ways, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40

I’ve given myself a challenge, and I ask you to join me.  Since most of us are quick to examine (judge) the ways of others, let’s do the same with ourselves.  

The challenge is:

At the very moment we begin to examine someone else’s behavior, morals, actions, beliefs, etc., STOP, and turn the examination in on ourselves first. 

Examining (judging) others is not up to us - God is the final Judge, the one and only true Judge.  

So, from here on out stay away from the pulpit and find better (more loving) things to do with your time… I know I am going to and I hope you will join me.

Be a hostage to HOPE

HEAR AND HEED THE WORD OF GOD

OPEN THE EYES OF YOUR HEART TO GOD

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

ENGROSS YOURSELF IN GOD AND HIS WORD

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God's living temple

"For God's temple is holy, and YOU are that temple." 

1 Corinthians 3:17b (NLT)

Remember that you and I are God's temples, not our own.  Therefore, you and I have absolutely no right to use, abuse, and dishonor it.  So, let's ask ourself these questions, and make the necessary changes to ensure that sure we are treating our physical and mental bodies as the temples they've been created to be:

Am I harming myself physically or mentally when I choose to engage in __________ ?

Would God approve of what I am doing or thinking right now?

Do I feel worthy of God's love?

Is what I am thinking in line with God's Word or is it in line with the world's views?

What positive steps can I make, in Christ, to change the unhealthy habits, hangups, and excuses that I have been holding on to, and believing, for so long?

Now it is time to go further and gets serious about changing some of the unhealthy, un-real, thoughts and actions.  So, take the first step and dig in - really dig in - to the Word of God and from there He will show and lead us to the answers and help we need.  

And, if it is any help, know that I will be working on the exact same thing.

God Bless

God's good, good grace

God’s amazing grace removes the burden of our lack of perfection ~ His strength is perfected in our weakness’s, freeing us from the afflictions of feeling ‘less than’.  Don’t you see that the more flaws we have (and Lord knows I have many!), the more He is working, strengthening, and perfecting us.  So, let’s rejoice in our imperfections, knowing that our GREAT GOD is glowing from within.

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Building your temple from within.

“Yes, [you are building a temple of the Lord, but] it is He who shall build the [true temple of the Lord…]…” Zechariah 6:13

Although this verse refers to the rebuilding of the Lord’s temple in the Old Testament, I think there is another way we can look at it: Many of us work so hard at building our outer life, however, if we don’t have God, then we have no 'true' foundation to build upon.  So, when one gets to the top of where they want to be, and then crash, they lie there wondering where they went wrong.

To me, I think the majority of failures are because actions are undertaken without seeking God first.  Yes, it is important to work at obtaining our goals on the outside, but it is more important to seek God first within and let Him direct us as how to obtain them; let Him guide us and form us on the inside. 

Therefore, before taking on any project, obtaining any goal, or making a major life decision, make sure to seek God first; with Him all things are possible, obtainable, and solid. However, without Him, all things are still possible and obtainable, but very fragile and weak, and will soon collapse at the first sign of trouble!!

Faith of a mustard seed

“…For truly I say to you, if you have faith [that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to the mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” Matthew 17:19-20 AMP

When it comes to impossible situations, do you think you can, or do you know you can?  When you think you can, you leave room for doubt; when you know you can, nothing will be able to stop you! However, please hear this: There is only one way to knowing, and it is by having all faith in Christ! It is Christ who gives you the faith to moves mountains, conquer overwhelming odds, battle any opponent, and love the unlovable.  

So, spend time with him and always remember this:
Without HIS strength within you, (through the Word and through prayer, through building a deep and meaningful relationship with Him), there is no strength, which means there will be no faith, hence, there will be no victory.

Lack of faith

“And He did not to many works of power there, because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the divine mission of Jesus). 

-Matthew 13:58 AMP

Wherever there is lack of faith, there will be lack of blessings and miracles.  However, where there is an abundance of faith (undeterred by the circumstances surrounding you; in the dismal and the glorious times), there will be an abundance of blessings and miracles.

Friends, life is good when one has all faith in Jesus!!

The day our lives truly begin

" ... What do you want Me to do for you? They answered Him, Lord, we want our eyes to be opened! And Jesus, in pity, touched their eyes; and instantly they received their sight and followed Him." 
Matthew 20: 32-34 AMP

Call out to Jesus, ask Him to open your eyes - the eyes to your soul.  Ask Him to help you truly see!

Friends, today is a day to note somewhere in your books (journal, computer, calendar), because I believe, and trust, that the moment we call on Jesus to open the eyes of our soul, we will look back and say, This was the day that my life truly began!

Praise Jesus!!

Spread the love of God

"What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim up on the housetops." Matthew 10:27 AMP

When Jesus speaks to you, tell somebody, share his news.  You are a channel for Him to share his good news, his love, his kind words, his encouragement, and your faith.  

So speak when prompted by the Spirit... 
someone needs to hear it.

Faithful and trustworthy

“His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much…” 

~Matthew 25:23 AMP

You are blessed with talents and abundances in which you are to share and grow, bless and be blessed.  So, if we choose to hide our gifts and talents then we won’t ever be able to grow or enjoy full success - become all that God wants us to be.

My friend, you have natural abilities because God has given them to you - share them in order that they can become light and influence to the darkness that surrounds you, share them in order that you might grow and succeed; share them so that on the day the Lord comes to take you away, He smiles and says:

Well done, you upright and faithful servant!

 

Causing others to fall

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble and sin would be better off having a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea. 

- Adapted from Matthew 18:6 AMP

One who is evil, but is evil in his own self, is one thing.  However, one who is evil and entices a vulnerable, unknowing, innocent person,  is better off drowning himself in a swamp than letting God deal with him.  

Friends, God’s Word is very straightforward when it comes to this, therefore, make sure your plans for yourself and others are God-certified and God-approved because anything less will have dire consequences, to which you do not want to be a part of.

Yes, it will come to pass!

“For it will come to pass in that day… that I will break [the oppressor’s] yoke from your neck, and I will burst your bonds… and none will make [you] afraid or cause [you] to be terrorized and to tremble.” 

Adapted from Jeremiah 30:8-10 AMP

When you give your heart to God, and dedicate your life as a living sacrifice to Him, life immediately changes: Evil trembles at you name; enemies lie down in front of you; those; strongholds are broken; fear does not control you any longer; ill-spoken words are cast down; Light begins to shine in, and around, you; healing physically and mentally, begins; hopes and dreams come alive; and, God’s love becomes your love.

Praise God! 
He loves us so much.  
How amazing a life with Him and how blessed we are to be called His children.

What God joins together...

“… What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”

Matthew 19:6 AMP

When God brings a husband and wife together in faith, unconditional love, purity, and devotion, then no forces of darkness will ever be able to separate.  How will you know when and if God has brought him/her into your life?  Trust me – you will know!!  Something like this is similar to winning the lottery … ten times over.

However, when two people come together out of lust, adultery, idolatry, bad intentions, or crude desire, then a small bump in the road will be sure to tear them apart.  How will you know if what you are doing is not from God?  Believe me – you will know!!  Something like this is similar to jumping into a sinking ship… eventually, you will sink with it.

So, if you are single, let God lead you to the perfect partner; if you are married, let God be the bond that holds you and your spouse together forever, and ever-more.

God is so good!!

 

Sink or swim...

"...So Peter got out of the boat and walked on water and he came toward Jesus. But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink..." Matthew 14:29-30 AMP

Faith in Christ, (remaining fearless in spite of the storms of life), will cause you to walk on water in the middle of the ocean.  

Doubt in Christ, (becoming fearful during the storms of life), will cause you to sink the moment you step out of the boat.

The choice is yours: faith or doubt, swim or sink?  
Hence, live or die?

Out of the darkness

 

“He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke apart the bonds that held them.” Psalm 107:14

Please don’t let this world bring you down!  Know that there is a way out of darkness, fear, distress, temptation, burden, sin, and death – His name is Jesus – and when you call on Him, my oh my, you’ve got an ally that won’t ever stop fighting with, and for, you!

Thank you for the awesome image, +thedontlovedare.blogspot.com

In the presence of God

“In the presence of God you will be made clean of all your sins…” 
Leviticus 16:29-31, The MSG

Wherever you are at, God is.  Therefore, confess your sins and guilt right where you are; God hears you, He is with you, He will cleanse you.

So, if right now is the time for you to repent and ask God for forgiveness, then raise your hands, close your eyes, open your mouth and ask him- He is with you and ready to wash your sins away.

When the Lord is your refuge

“Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the most High your dwelling place,

There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.” Psalm 91:9-10

Those persons, places, or things that make you feel safe and secure fail in comparison to the safety and security of our good Lord!!

Trials, Tests, and Temptations

"[But the Lord rebukes Jeremiah's impatience, saying] If you have raced with men on foot and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses?  And if [you take to flight] in a land of peace where you feel secure, then what will you do [when you tread the tangled maze of jungle - haunted by lions] in the swelling and flooding of the Jordan?" Jeremiah 12:5

If you want victory in a certain situation, (such as a new role or responsibility, financial, or relational), then don't give up because of impatience or fear, and stop agonizing because you haven't made it to the top yet.  
Instead, hold on to God, reach out to him, and continue to put one foot in front of the other. And, soon, very soon, your victory will come to pass with God being your firm foundation to stand as you begin the new chapter in your life, leaving you to revel in the joy of the miracle God is giving you.

Three points to ponder...

“… If God is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land that flows, as they say, with milk and honey.  And he’ll give it to us.  Just don’t rebel against God!  And don’t be afraid of those people..  Why, we’ll have them for lunch!  They have no protection and God is on our side.  Don’t be afraid of them!”

Numbers 14:6-8, MSG

Three points to remember when you are God’s chosen child:

·      Refrain from all rebellion against God and His      commands

·      Be afraid of NO man - DO NOT FEAR

·      Don’t let fear stop you from pursuing the good plan that God has for your life

 

To God be the glory!

“But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:24

Remember, nothing great in your life is from your own doing! Your victories won, goals obtained, money earned, friendships, accomplishments, prizes, etc., are from God, and God alone! Thus, make sure that when it is time to boast over them, you first give Him all glory all credit, and all thanks, because He’s the one who gave them to you in the first place.  And, just as quickly as He gave them to you, He can quickly, very quickly, take them right back!  

Therefore, always remember the Who and Why you’ve come across good fortunes: 
To God be the glory – ALWAYS!

Without wavering

“So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgment of it, for He Who promised is reliable [sure and faithful to His word].” 

Hebrews 10:23

The promises of God may not come in our timing, but they will come in God’s time, and, friends, His timing prevails well over when we want.  So, through the trials and difficulties of life, continue to dig into the Word of God - proclaim His promises over your life!  

Yes, I believe if we can stay in faith, without wavering, our breakthroughs, blessings, and dreams will be sure to come, flooding our lives in the most incredible ways and at the most incredible times, overwhelming us with beautiful blessings that only God could make come true.

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Follow Jesus

“But Jesus said to him, Follow me and leave the dead [in sin] to bury their own dead.”

Matthew 8:22 AMP

Let those who choose to remain in sin, remain.  You, however, can make a choice not to by making a decision to follow Christ, and Christ alone; yes, you can walk away (mentally or physically).  Indeed, it will be life altering, but it will be well worth it.  As well, and more likely than not, you just may be the life-changing example someone needs to get on the right path of life with you!  So, walk away from death into life!  I guarantee, there will be nothing to lose, but so much to gain.

You, my friend can do it! You have the Strength and Power… He’s living within you right now.

 

If they confess their sins...

"On the other hand, if they confess their sins... their treacherous betrayal, the defiance that set off my defiance that sent them off into enemy lands; if by some chance they soften their hard hearts and make amends for their sin, I'll remember my covenant... I'll remember the land... in spite of their behavior... I won't reject or abhor or destroy them completely... For their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I, with all the nations watching, brought out of Egypt in order to be their God.  I am God."  Leviticus 26:40-45, The Message

It is never too late to turn your life around, to turn back to God.  So, if you have fallen by the way-side and have made more problems for yourself and for those you love (and/or don't love for that matter), then you can get it all turned around, and the first step is surrendering your life to God.  No, it won't be a walk in the park, and it won't happen overnight, but the moment you let God take over, things will begin to turn around, and somehow, someway, the messes you've made will, one day, be turned into blessings that you forever treasure - God will make sure of it.

Anyone who curses God...

“… Anyone who curses God will be held accountable…” 
 Leviticus 24:13-16 MSG

God is never to be blamed, insulted, cursed or taunted.  He gave His Son for us, and He gave us a life to live.  Therefore, all that is due Him is honor, gratitude, thankfulness, our prayers, and all our love.

God is with you

“… they even hired Balaam to work against them by cursing them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing…” 

Nehemiah 13:1-3, MSG

With God before you no one can stand against you: with God on yours side, no worldly human can ruin God’s good plan for you.  

Don’t give up, God is with you.

To each his own.

"... But each has his own special gift from God, one of this kind and one of another." 
~1 Corinthians 7:7 AMP

Each of us is unique, one-of-a-kind; given distinct talents and gifts that nobody can take away from us. 

What's yours? What do you do that brings peace to your heart, joy to those around you, or provides hope for the lost?  You have something!  No matter how small, or how trivial it may be to you, it can be life-changing to another.   Flaunt it, share it, embrace it, and honor it! It's given to you by God, and until you share it, the glory of Him within won't be able to shine, which delays joy, peace, and love just waiting to shower over you.

You are beautiful and you have a world around you to show it to.