What are we believing?

Hey S.I.S.!

In Mark 9:23-24, it says…

23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

This was an exchange between Jesus and a grieving father. This man’s son had suffered severe seizures since childhood. That caused a great deal of grief and pain for both the father and son. The father was desperate for the Healer to relieve his son from this ailment and wanted desperately to believe in order to receive this miracle. However, his response is baffling and seemingly contradictory. How can one say they believe then turn right around and say help my unbelief? Believe it or not, there are many examples of faith and belief in the Lord and His Word going awry in the Bible. How does this happen?

Belief and distrust are both choices and actions. Distrust in God’s Word opens the door to fear and the creation of contradicting ideologies. Faith supplements your belief; whatever you are choosing to stand on.

Exodus shows us a perfect example of faith and belief going awry and how distrust ultimately created contradicting ideologies. Exodus 24:1-3; 12-13, tells us that the Lord told Moses to ascend the mountain to receive detailed instructions from Him to relay to the Israelites. No one else could accompany Moses, so the Israelites said they understood and agreed to wait on the Lord and Moses’ return. However, it is evident in Exodus 32:1 that the Israelites shifted from believing God’s Word that Moses would return to trying to find their own way. We see that they somehow began to distrust God’s Word because fear of the unknown presents itself. They didn’t know what happened to Moses, so they feared that Moses wouldn’t return and may have even died. Therefore, they decided to make a god for themselves and put their faith in that. They chose to stand on their own understanding of things , and their faith in that golden calf supplemented what they really believed in.

This is an example why it says in Proverbs 3:5, “ Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Verse 6 goes on to say , “In all of your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Therefore, we need to be cautious of being wise in our own eyes and really examine what we are putting our faith in because it may reveal what we are standing on in our beliefs.

The Reason BEYOND the Season

Romans 12:1 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (NKJV: which is your reasonable service.)

Hey hey S.i.S. (Sisters in Spirit)! 

This is the time of year where we celebrate family, friends, and others with affection, love, and gifts. This is also the time of year when we have countless programs and services reminding us of the reason for the season as well as reminding us to have charitable serving hearts. While the sentiments and reminders are indeed accurate and much needed these days, we are still aiming somewhat amiss. 

Jesus is not just the reason for the season. He is the reason BEYOND the season. Jesus was born to this world to not only be our Savior, but to also equip us to live a life of love, service, charity, and gifts. 

Romans 12:1 reminds us that worship and service goes beyond holiday services and worship programs. Don't get me wrong. Those programs and services are wonderful, enjoyable, and needed. However, the sentiments must come from the overflow of our daily practices of being living sacrifices. Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices IS our worship and our service. This is why gifts, charity, and love go beyond just this season. 

Romans 12:3 - 13 further warns us not to think more highly of ourselves than we should. It reminds us that as we are enjoying the events, programs, and services, we ought not to give, sing/worship, prophecy, etc. in a way that showcases us and puffs us up. Instead of being tempted to showboat, we ought to do these things to magnify Jesus and all that He is as well as uplift others. THAT’S our spiritual worship and reasonable service to Him above everything else. 

Be blessed my S.i.S!

Stir Up What's Inside You

At the end of last week, the Lord gave me a gentle yet pointed rebuke about my gifting in art. While I had a totally different devotional topic planned, the Lord told me to put it on the back burner because He wasn’t done expounding on His gentle rebuke. Therefore, my beautiful Diamonds, dive with me into embracing your gifts.

I have always had some sort of love and talent in crafts and visual arts, but I’ve always deemed my talents as mediocre at best. There are members of my own family that can draw circles around me, not to mention others in the world. That is when the Lord rebuked me about criticizing and dismissing what the Lord has given me. Yes, there will always be others that are more talented and seemingly more qualified than me, but that is absolutely no excuse to criticize and not use what the Lord has given me. Our friend Moses got rebuked for the very same thing.

“But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭4:10-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When the Lord calls you to use what He’s put in you, it does not matter what you think of your capabilities or other’s opinions may be. You use them to the best of your capabilities for His glory.

Just like in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the master gave servants stewardship over different talents, and expected a return.

““For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.

‭‭

But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:14-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:24-30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The Lord does not want back what He has given us, or else there would be no reason to give it to us in the first place. He wants us to take what He has given us and invest in it, cultivate it, grow it, and increase it for His glory. He wants the INCREASE!

Don’t be caught like the fig tree that did not bear fruit! (Luke 13:6-9; Mark 11:12-14). We can bear fruit and increase in all seasons if we just stir up the gifts (spiritual and natural) that the Lord has put in us.

Extra encouragement: 1 Peter 4:10-11; Romans 12:6-8

The Anchor to Our Souls...

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?””

“In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭11:3, 1-2 NIV‬‬

When our foundations (the things we stand on) are being shaken or threatened, what do we do? How do we feel? How do we react?

Last week, we as Americans witnessed a shift and change in power government wise. Some feel renewed hope and trust in their "Godly" choice as he steps into office. Some feel hope deflated as their "Godly" choice steps down from office. What happens when we place our hope in an unsteady foundation like government?

Well a couple of weeks ago, we saw a clear cut, real time example of what happens when we follow man and a man made system such as government. People lose it. They lose their sensibility. They lose their hope. They lose their love. They lose their integrity. They lose their humanity. The list goes on. But what happens when we build our hope and foundation in the Lord?

Looking at Daniel, we see that Daniel shows his unmovable and unshakable faith in his God over his faith in man and government. First, he showed boldness in rejecting the king’s provisions and asking those over him test the diet given by the Lord to prove that the Lord’s way is better than the king’s way. Second, under the threat of death, Daniel boldly told the king that not only could he interpret the king’s dream but also tell him what the dream was first because of his Lord’s revealing. Third, also in the face of death and possibly reassured by Daniel’s examples of boldness, his comrades refused to bow to the king’s prideful whim because their only foundation was in his Lord.

See, Daniel knew that kings and government are fickle and that power is temporary. He and his people had been removed from their homeland because of change of power. They had been persecuted by those in power. There was no incentive to but their trust in government and power. However, how did Daniel gain his boldness and confidence in the Lord even in the face of threats? PROXIMITY.

Boldness and confidence like that can only come from strong, consistent, and intimate relationship. Daniel knew he could run to the Lord for ANYTHING that he needed and had no hesitation in doing just that. The Lord is where he put his absolute trust. Let us follow Daniel’s example on REMAINING in constant, intimate proximity to the Lord so that we too can be unshakable in uncertain and unstable times.

Other scriptures to encourage us to do just that:

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭62:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭112:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Righteousness: Our cover. Our guard.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We all know the armor of God, or at least have heard of it, but do we really intentionally put it on and wear it daily? I personally have a tattoo of it, but even with that physical visual reminder, it is easy for me to go through my days without suiting up spiritually for my daily battles. It’s no wonder I get lost in the sauce of the battle sometimes!

Today, I just want to focus on the breastplate of righteousness. I have always focused on the WEAPONS of warfare which are my sword (the Word) and my shield (faith), but I have never given much thought about the breastplate and the significance of it. It is called the breastplate of righteousness. Well what is the purpose of a breastplate?

The breastplate plate guards the heart. Much like a bulletproof vest, it protects the most vital organs in the body, particularly the heart. If you were to get shot or stabbed in the heart, chances of survival is slim. It is the same with us spiritually. If we are tainted or wounded in the heart, then a healthy spiritual life is impossible!

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

Have you ever tried to clean dirty water? Would you dare to drink dirty water? Cleaning dirty water goes through a long involved process before it even remotely safe to drink from. It is the same spiritually. If our heart is tainted, then all we have to draw from in times of need is dirty, tainted water. This is why it is imperative that we guard our hearts to make sure it is and STAYS clean. We need to be able to draw clean water at any given time to remain nourished spiritually. How do we do this? Through righteousness!

See why it is called the breastplate of righteousness? If we do any and everything, through the filter of righteousness, nothing dirty or toxic can creep into our hearts and taint our wells. Now will we make mistakes? Yes because we are humans. That is where the Lord’s grace comes in to be that extra filter for our hearts. However, if we go around intentionally acting in unrighteousness and unplugged from the Vine, then our wellspring of life is vulnerable to whatever elements it is exposed to.

So, let us ALL be intentional in this season in guarding our hearts and wearing our breastplates of righteousness daily. Because if yesterday’s events are any indication, we cannot afford to be caught in warfare unarmed! Love you all!!! Be victorious in this season!!!

Overcoming Anxiety: A helpful hint

Overcoming anxiety...

Anxiety keeps you focused on the negative. Anxiety continuously plays the worst case scenarios. Anxiety constantly rehearses the bad, the mistakes, the lack, the fear, the hurt, etc. Unfortunately, we are often paralyzed from actively fighting against it.

Philippians 4:6-12 prescribes that we talk to the Jesus. About everything! Then when we’re done talking, dwell on POSITIVE things. Whatever anxiety is trying to get you to focus on, focus on the complete opposite!

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians‬ ‭4:6-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As we are learning to shift our focus and overcome anxiety, we should find encouragement in Asaph’s words and follow his example...

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah” Psalm‬ ‭77:11-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Strength in all things...

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I hear this verse quoted a lot. A LOT a lot. It is on notebooks, journals, bracelets, and t-shirts. It’s such a popular verse that it has almost become cliché. Unfortunately, many people mistakenly assumes that his verse means that the Lord will supernaturally empower them to do "whatever they put their minds to." In reality, it is telling us something entirely different and much more empowering than that.

If we back up a couple of verses, we see that Paul is actually talking about enduring all situations. Not being swayed by circumstances and where that "strength" comes from. He can be free without allowing his freedom to lead him into destruction. He can be imprisoned without allowing his captivity to be a hinderance. He can be poor without allowing lack to quench his dreams. And he can be wealthy without allowing greed to destroy him. Those are just a few examples of how he KNOWS that the Lord has and will continue to strengthen him to do all things.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:11-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Paul is teaching us that though we suffer, the Lord strengthens us to ENDURE the suffering. If we back up even more to verses 8 and 9, he gives us a secret to harnessing the Lord’s strength through our focus.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Peace in the midst of any storm. Focus on Jesus is why Peter was able to walk on water. Focus on the storm is why he began to sank. BUT EVEN THEN, the Lord strengthened Peter to endure the storm by pulling him out of the water. (Matthew 14:28-33)

Let’s keep going back. Before all of what we just covered, Paul says,

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God..." Talk to Him. About everything. Reach for Him. In everything. Look to Him. Instead of everything. "...And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬)

Peace that SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We do not have to understand what we are going through to do all the things that Paul tells us to do in Philippians 4! Trust is NOT contingent on understanding! We will never fully understand what we go through because our understanding is limited to our perspective. And our perspective is partial, skewed by past experiences, colored by hurt, disappointments, bitterness, gossip etc. Besides all of this...

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” Isaiah‬ ‭55:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

So stop trying to figure out! He will reveal what you need to know in time! Trust Him. Focus on Him. Take everything to Him. So that He can give you peace that surpasses understanding and strengthen you to do all things

Don't be fooled...

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

‭‭ 2 Timothy‬ ‭4:3-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We are going to suffer. We need to stop seeking pastors and preachers to prophesy over us our skimming over suffering or getting through hard times. Why are we going to man to hear what has already been promised to us? We know that “Trouble don’t last always.” Better yet, the Word says “Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

Suffering is TEMPORARY! It is also unavoidable. As a matter of fact, the Lord warned us and practically guaranteed that it will. “In this world you will have trouble..."(John 16:33) "“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”‭‭(James‬ ‭1:2‬) Then there’s 1 Peter 4:19.

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

‭‭ 1 Peter‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We need to stop allowing preachers and teachers to tickle our ears with promises of wealth, promotion, and status because it sets us up with a skewed expectation of what a life of following Christ looks like. Also, we ministers need to stop pumping and priming people and FEED them. Show them how to endure suffering rather than having them hopeful of avoiding it.

You are enough... part 2

I am not enough...

It is never a question of if we are enough. We are NEVER enough... in our own strength. The Word says " for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41). These are just a couple of examples in the Word where we see that we are not enough in our own selves. AND THAT IS OKAY!!!! He did not expect us to be enough when we created and chose us.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans‬ ‭5:6-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Here is even better news! He does not expect us to be enough NOW! This is why He says, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬‬‬) "and do not lean on your own understanding," (Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‬) "Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil," (Proverbs‬ ‭3:7‬) and “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."(James‬ ‭1:5‬)

Does this sound like He expects us to be enough? Still not convinced?

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs‬ ‭3:11-12‬ ‭

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” Hebrews‬ ‭12:5-7‬ ‭

With all of this being said, we ought to stop worrying about whether we are enough and being afraid to fail. The Lord is there to supply all of our needs and correct us WHEN we mess up. We need to move forward with confidence in HIM, and do the things He has called, created, and purposed us to do.

Be the beautifully imperfect vessel that He has created you to be because you ARE enough FOR and IN GOD!

You are enough... part 1

"I am not enough..."

Am I the only one who’s had this thought? It may sound like this "I can’t do this anymore." "I wish I was a better mother." "Why was I passed over at this job?" "Is my husband still happy with me?" Just to name a few of the nagging belittling thoughts we wrestle with day to day.

But who says?

The enemy can whisper a thousand reasons why we're "failing". The enemy can plant a million nagging questions to cause us to doubt ourselves. There’s a reason why he is called the accuser (Revelation 12:10). It is his nature to attempt to plant seeds of doubt. Remember his conversation with Eve in the Garden or his conversation with God about Job?

If we know that he is the "father of lies" (John 8:44), then why do we listen to him? (I am totally guilty of this.) What does OUR Father feel about us?

Psalm 139 says "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.”

Ephesians 2 says "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Philippians 1:6 says “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

And finally Psalm 139 also says, "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well."

Do we really know that very well? Just like the enemy can come up with seemingly endless nagging thoughts and doubts, our Father has endless thoughts for us and encouragement. Seek His word and voice. Learn His thoughts for us and how He loves. Tell yourself (and the enemy) that to the Father "YOU ARE ENOUGH." Period Pooh!

O before Promotion

O before Promotion:

Nowadays people are so enamored with promotions. They are quick to jump into the position that they want, but just as quick to skip the process that it takes to get there. In 1 Samuel 16 and 17, David shows us that you cannot prosper without the process. Little David was a shepherd. This isn’t a glamorous job. Some people even dismissed or overlooked shepherds overlooking the importance of being a shepherd. Shepherds took care of the flock that they ate from, made money from, and sacrificed. David was obedient and diligent in taking care of his assignment (his sheep). He fed them, led them to safety, protected them from danger, etc. He didn’t spend his time trying to vie for attention to gain another position. He didn’t try to compete with his brothers who were serving in King Saul’s army. His only focus was the assignment given to him.

When Samuel anointed him as future king, he didn’t try to go straight for the throne to get rid of Saul and take his position. He didn’t even get lost in his immaturity/naïveté like Joseph, and go around bragging. He even HONORED Saul until the Lord Himself removed him from the throne despite Saul trying to kill David unjustifiably. David had several opportunities to take Saul’s life to save his own, but he refused every time to be obedient in honoring the king that the Lord still had in place.

Furthermore, the opportunity to fight Goliath (which David is famous for) came through obedience. His father asked him to take a break from the pasture to deliver lunch to his brothers fighting on the frontline. This wasn’t part of his shepherd job description,. He did it promptly without complaining.

Finally, David was obedient in HOW to fight the battle before him. After stepping up to fight Goliath, Saul tried to get David to fight HIS way using HIS armor. (Which is ironic to me because he didn’t step up himself in his armor to fight Goliath.) David tried on Saul’s armor and immediately knew it wouldn’t work. He denied the KING in favor of the training the LORD provided IN THE PASTURE. His obedience in all these things is how he got promoted to the palace!

O before P

(singing) a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,I,j,k,l,m,n, O, P... (singing)

"O" BEFORE "P"

No I’m not giving an alphabet lesson lol. This is just a funny little way the Lord drove the following point home to me, so I wanted to share!

Now, throughout my church days I’ve heard parts of Deuteronomy 28 quoted ALL THE TIME!

"We shall be the head and not the tail"

"the lender not the borrower"

"above and not beneath"

There’s even a song (which I like):

We’re blessed in the city. We’re blessed in the field. We’re blessed when we come and when we go... (Did you sing it in your head too? )

But what I don’t hear very often if ever, is the rest of that chapter. Every blessing of prosperity promised to God’s people hinged on OBEDIENCE first.

Obedience BEFORE Prosperity... "O" BEFORE "P"

Don’t believe me? Let’s look:

““Now it shall come to pass, IF you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:

“The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, IF you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.

And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, IF you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. So you SHALL NOT turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28:1-2, 9, 13-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There’s also the whole other half of Deuteronomy 28 that talks about the results of disobedience that very few talk about, and it is just as long as the first half.

The Lord is not a tyrant, but he’s not foolish either. He knows if He gives us blessings with no conditions, we will treat Him as a genie of sorts. Summoning Him when we want something then immediately dismissing Him. Or using His word as a magic wand to get what we want but no real commitment to Him. He gives us a choice. We are either completely with Him or we’re not. Our fruit will reflect our choice. Choose ye this day...

Who's light are we following?

In a world where so many are "chasing the bag" (riches), "chasing clout" (power/notoriety), "doing me" (flesh/my will over all else), and other current catchphrases, what are you chasing? What are you buying into? You see so many images and influences of what we are supposed to desire and what the good life is supposed to be, but where are they really rooted?

In Matthew 4, the enemy tries to tempt Jesus by trying to get Him to give into hunger and create/eat food (lacking necessities/flesh/his physical will over the Father’s ultimate will), by testing His power, and also by offering riches.

The enemy can promise necessities, ways to fulfill your will, power, and riches, and even deliver on those promises. HOWEVER those things he promises are not his to give in the first place. EVERYTHING in creation belongs to the Lord (Psalm 24:1). Although He may allow the enemy to promise riches and glory and deliver those things, those things will not last. Your will can fail, power can be snatched away as quickly as it is gained, and riches can be spent faster than you can make it. Nothing established by man and by crooked ways stands. It will all eventually come crumbling down around you because only the things the Lord establishes will last.

Not only that, the Lord can offer so much more. He promises and delivers salvation, peace, joy, hope, refuge, rest, and so much more! The enemy dares not promise these things because he KNOWS he cannot deliver them. They’re not in him. The Word says, “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.” in Proverbs‬ ‭29:22‬. In Revelation 12:12 it says, “for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” That doesn’t sound very peaceful, joyful, hopeful, etc.!

This is why he caters to your VANITY and creates the illusion that those vain things are all you need to be happy. He’s somewhat right. Happiness is a temporary surface emotion.

“Rachel Fearnley, the lifestyle mentor, describes the difference between joy and happiness as this: "Joy is more consistent and is cultivated internally. It comes when you make peace with who you are, why you are and how you are, whereas happiness tends to be externally triggered and is based on other people, things, places, thoughts, and events."” (Taken from this article: Most Helpful Bible Verses About Happiness | Betterhelp). Happiness comes and goes just as quickly as the situation or environment changes.

Since he is the father of lies, all he can offer are surface temporary things. The Lord warns us about storing up treasures here on earth (Matthew 6:19-20) and that all things will be tried by fire (1 Cor. 3:13) So why pledge allegiance to the one who is a deceiver that can only give temporary empty things that will destroy you in the end?? (Psalm 37 & Psalm 94)

Who’s light are we really following as we try to "make it" in this world?

Beyond Circumstances

We are not our circumstances!

We hear that a lot but what does that mean exactly? Most of us are familiar with Joseph and his story of how his brothers hated him, plotted to kill him but sold him into slavery instead, and all of the other injustices done to him after the fact. Oh but God! Because of the Lord, Joseph went from slave to prisoner to 2nd in command of Egypt. Most people stop there. Some may go further in teaching on how he forgave and reconciled with the very brothers who hated him and meant him harm. Sadly, most graze over a key turning point in Joseph’s life.

Admittedly, I’ve never paid much attention to this one verse until a personal study last week. Genesis 41:14 says, "Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.” It’s such a short line in the midst of such an amazing story that it is easy to skim over and miss the significance of what he did.

Theology scholars speculate that Joseph was between the ages of 13-17 when his brothers plotted to kill him and sold him into slavery; a mere child. Genesis 41:46 says Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh and ultimately became 2nd in command. 13-17 years. 13-17 years of being a slave, being lied on by pharaoh’s wife and thrown into prison, and ultimately being forgotten about. Plenty of time to forget the dreams God gave him. Plenty of time to grow bitter, discouraged, and hopeless. Plenty of time to trade in who God showed him he was for what life (circumstances) made him to be. But! The moment he knew he had an opportunity for breakthrough, he took time to clean himself up.

Joseph didn’t present himself as a filthy slave/prisoner. He did not carry his circumstances with him. Now I imagine, he didn’t have the best clothes to put on for an audience with the king, but he did what he could because he respected the person he was going before and the potential opportunity he was about to have. Many times when the Lord is trying to bring us out of something and into something new, we drag our feet possibly out of fear. We refuse to release bitterness toward those who have mistreated us and it shows in our attitudes. We hold on to past disappointments, and it prevents us from fully investing in what the Lord is trying to do in our lives.

Joseph did not allow his circumstances and what he had been through define him. Life and circumstances tried to make him bow to being a slave and prisoner. Somehow he stood his ground and held on to who the Lord showed him to be, a leader. THIS is how he was able to obtain favor even within the prison, and this heart posture was how the Lord knew He could promote Joseph to the position He showed him as a child.

Nothing Wasted

Nothing is wasted! If you’re going through a time of struggle, doubt, confusion, or feelings of defeat and/or despair, worry not. No season and no experience in life is a waste!

You may feel like you’re spinning your wheels or even be in a time where you’re feel like you’re not growing, but if we look at David’s and Joseph’s lives, we see that everything they encountered was used for their purpose. David’s time as a shepherd protecting the flock, taught him how to be a great warrior and leader. Joseph being betrayed by his brothers was actually the catalyst to his journey of becoming 2nd in command in Egypt and being in perfect position to save his own people.

This is why that it is imperative that we handle difficult and frustrating times with care. Philippians 2 talks of doing all things without complaining and disputing in order to be lights to others. If we can handle ourselves well under pressure, our efforts will not be in vain and we will be entrusted with more than we may be able to imagine.

We also must be careful not to mourn over or long for the former "glory days" when we’re going through hard times. In 1 Samuel 16, the Lord asks Samuel how long he was going to mourn over Saul being removed from the throne. The Lord basically tells Samuel to move on from his disappointment, and let go of his ideas of what should have been because the Lord is putting something better into place.

We must be careful to have a thankful heart and not complain when things aren’t so ideal because we may be at risk of becoming stuck in what was and miss learning things that will push us into something greater!

Check your fruit...

Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:5-8 both contrast what it is to flourish in the Lord and His righteousness and what it is to be led otherwise using the depiction of trees/greenery. To flourish means to be in a vigorous state; thrive. Psalm 6 is the perfect depiction of a languishing spirit. To languish means to be or become weak or feeble; droop; fade. John 10:10 promises that the Lord gives life abundantly (and our enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy). So it is important for us to take regular inventory of our spiritual growth. Are we experiencing flourishing and abundance in our spiritual lives or do we relate more with the languishing soul in Psalm 6? How do we even begin to take inventory? We can tell overall by answering those questions above, but how do we go deeper and see what exactly we need?

3 John 1:2 emphasizes our souls prospering and everything else will prosper as our souls prosper. We have a starting point! The Word of God is our bread of life (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4). This concept is emphasized at least 3 times, so let us go to the Word for our inventory!

Since the Word uses trees to depict flourishing, we should see what type of fruit we should be producing. Galatians 5:22-23 lays out the specific fruit we as believers should be producing, the fruit of the Spirit: ONE fruit with different attributes. How are we doing with our long-suffering, gentleness, self-control, etc? Not so good? That’s what we need to work on! How are we doing with our love? Check out the love checklist in 1 Corinthians 13!

Ladies this is more than a devotional. This is a challenge to check our spiritual inventory! Remember, dying trees either produce no fruit or bad fruit (Galatians 5:19-21;26), and Jesus cursed the tree that didn’t produce what He expected in ALL seasons (Mark 11:12-14) just like the tree in Jeremiah 17:8.

Broken Cisterns & Fast Food Living

Why do we continue to go to broken cisterns and fast food places? What do I mean? Why do we continue to maintain toxic and unhealthy relationships?

Relationships where we give more than we receive.

Relationships where gossip is the main mode of communication. Relationships where disrespect is evident, but we continue to accept it. Relationships where we’re not getting anything we need out of them, but we stay because it’s easier to maintain what is familiar than it is to start over. Relationships where we put up with anything just to “keep the peace.”

Do you really have peace though? Is it really easier to watch the other party being nourished while you’re slowly wasting away in the relationship?

People in 3rd world countries, drink water out of dirty streams and rivers because they don’t know what it is to have clean water. Or clean water is scarce. We as Americans, would have a hard time drinking dirty water because we know what it is to have clean water. Sure it would quench our thirst for the moment, but we know that it would do nothing to nourish us. As a matter of fact, we know that it would make us sick.

We tend to be like the people drinking dirty water spiritually, emotionally, and mentally when it comes to relationships. Why? The same reason why fast food places have been abundant and flourishing for decades. It satisfies our hunger. We know fast food does little to nothing to actually nourish our bodies, but when we’re hungry, we want to eat NOW. And we want to eat whatever sounds good to us at the moment, instead of taking the time to prepare a nourishing meal.

Psalm 139 is the perfect picture of the Lord’s love for each of us and the intimacy we ultimately crave. “Oh my gosh we finish each other’s sentences.” “They’re my best friend because we think so much alike. It’s like they’re reading my mind.” “You should know how I feel because you should know me by now.” “I shouldn’t have to tell you what’s wrong. You should know.” Have you ever said anything similar to those things, to a loved one? Or even thought these things as you’re silently struggling with disappointment?

Psalm 139 says He took time to KNOW every intricate detail about us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He knows our every thought, but still loves us. He knows our every move, but still pursues us. He knows our every dark place or weakness, but never leaves us. So why then, do we continuously seek nourishment from broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13) and fast food places? We need to cling to the source of Life (John 1:1-4). Drink from the well where we’ll never thirst again (John 4:1-28). Feed off of His Word (Matthew 4:4).

Broken barriers and changed rules

“And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.”

2 Samuel‬ ‭6:6-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The tearing of the veil was not the BEGINNING of the breaking of the barrier between us and God. The tearing of the veil was the final piece of the barrier crumbling for complete free will access to the Lord’s presence; here on earth and after death. The barrier began breaking the moment Jesus was born. The Lord wrapped Himself in flesh so that we can have access to Him in the natural. In the days of David (and any time before Jesus was born), unclean and unchosen hands could not even remotely come into contact with God or His holy things.

RELATIONSHIP with us has always been the desire of His heart, and He has always grated that to us. This is why David was able to be called a man after His own heart and Moses was able to be called a friend of God. BUT when Jesus was born, people were able to come in PROXIMITY to Him and touch Him without fear of death. The fact that the woman with the issue of blood was able to touch His hem is a testament to that fact. If the rules of engagement were exactly the same, that woman would’ve been stricken dead at the very moment her finger brushed His hem. Jesus was and is the HOLIEST of the Father’s vessels. Infinitely more holy than the ark. She should’ve had the same fate as Uzzah. Not only did she live, she was HEALED. Mary Magdalene the prostitute turned disciple is another example. She had the brazen audacity to not only approach the Lord, but to anoint His feet. This act caused her to be praised, favored, and blessed for her proximity to Holiness despite her unclean past. They dared to seek after Him and have relationship with Him.

When Jesus died, the veil was torn not only to grant us full access to God even after death, but to ensure that the old ways were not adopted back. That only the “religiously, outwardly clean” people could be in the Presence. The Presence was no longer contained or exclusive, but free for all to come and seek the Lord as they desired. Now, don’t get me wrong. There are still rules of engagement to MAINTAINING relationship with the Lord and being able to ABIDE in the presence. However, the mere access to Him no longer has a cost. It is FREELY given because of Love and Sacrifice. So don’t be afraid to get in relationship AND proximity with Him!

Gentle. Harmless. Wise

MID-WEEK ENCOURAGEMENT!!!

As quarantine has completely disrupted our normal routine by having us cooped up in our homes, we have been thrown into extra family time and having to figure out new working dynamics in the household. This may have led to increased misunderstandings, miscommunications, increased frustrations, and unfortunately possible lashing out at others. This may warrant a little bit of friendly wisdom on how to witness to our families as well as how to deal with people better as we come out of quarantine and back into society again...

“"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves... And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.”

Matthew‬ ‭10:16, 36‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I don’t think Matthew 10 means that the Lord comes to actively divide the body and make enemies nor does He desire for us to do so. If that were true it would be a direct contradiction of His charge for us to love our neighbors (Mark 12:30-31) AND enemies (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36) and to be makers of peace (Matthew 5:9). It also contradicts His name Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and the fact that His burden is light and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:25-30). There is no rest if there is no peace.

I think it is saying that the Lord’s very presence stirs up His enemies to challenge Him and our relationship with Him causes His enemies to be stirred up against us. So we are to expect to face opposition and warfare even within our own homes with our own family members. But remember the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2 Corinthians 10:4) and we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12-13).

The reason we are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves is because we need to be discerning of WHAT we are facing and how to maneuver in that battle but not wound the PERSON we are facing. The PERSON is just the vessel of our true OPPOSITION/ENEMY. Sadly, 99% of the time, they don’t even know what they’re doing, so the warfare is not just on the target’s behalf but it is on the unaware vessel as well.

I also want to add a helpful article that further illustrates doves and serpents and how we can learn from both:

https://www.ucg.org/.../what-do-you-mean-wise-and-harmless

Fall in love... AGAIN

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭51:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

...

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:3, 6-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Do you remember your surrender? The moment, the time, the season that you fell in love with the Lord? When your zeal and excitement for your newly found freedom was so strong that it felt like nothing could quench those warm and fuzzy feelings in your heart when it came to your Savior?

In earthly relationships and friendships, the beginning is fantastic and exciting. You’re inseparable from that person. You love spending time with that person. You love hearing from that person, and you cannot wait to reach out to that person daily. In the beginning, you cannot fathom falling out with that person or even losing the excitement and love of being with that person. You’re besties. Ride or die. Nothing can come between you.

But as time creeps on, the relationship becomes lukewarm. The mundane busyness of life or the simple routine of the relationship can begin to cause you to take for granted that relationship and time with that person. Hurt feelings and broken perspectives from misunderstandings and creep in to cause hinderances, and your faith in the relationship takes subtle hits.

So it is with our relationship with the Lord. We get lost in the day to day. We begin to focus our attention to our worries. We once woke up ready to conquer the day with the Lord eager to hear His voice. Now we may wake up weary, dreading the things we need to get done, and we’ll maybe throw up a quick “help me through the day" prayer before we get started. We forget what it feels like to be in His presence without a care in the world. He loves time with us. We NEED time with Him. So let us use this COVID downtime to “remember the joy of our salvation” and rekindle the flame of our FIRST LOVE.