He is Risen

He is risen and I declare we follow His pattern today. Just how? By refusing to be held down anymore in our minds, our expectations, and our hopes. We serve a “risen Savior”. The tempest may crash and the waves may assail yet we can stand secure in our Savior’s love. He is a good God and does only good. Therefore, every experience that occurs in our lives is for good and gain. May we not be found doubting when we should be worshiping (Matt. 28:17).  Or be guilty of His rebuke: “slow of heart to believe” (Luke 24:25).

As a matter of fact our heart’s desire should be to constrain Him like the two on the road to Emmaus who said to our Lord, “Abide with us…And He went in to stay with them ” (Luke 24:29).

And for those in search of their Beloved, there’s no need to fear for He says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20)

Just as it’s depicted in Luke 24:31: may our eyes be opened and may we know Him- seeing Him as He is and living in the bond of intimacy. He is risen!

Triumphing over Discouragement

Do you sometimes feel like “Discouraged Donna” or “discouraged Dean”? Discouragement doesn’t play fair and creeps up on the best of us uninvited regardless of race or gender.

Imagine experiencing an overwhelming victory and then receiving a threat that sends you into a downward spiral. That was the reality of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 and 19 and he was one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. Discouragement wasn’t foreign to other greats of old; King David had his bout with this, as well as the Prophet Samuel. David we know encouraged (strengthened) himself in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6) and God had to rebuke Samuel out of his moping by asking “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?” (1 Samuel 16:1)

These men I just referenced have had their lives chronicled and read by countless persons throughout the ages and they didn’t escape discouragement’s scourge. How about you and I? Dr. Alicia M. Liverpool in her book ‘Your Wealthy Place’ said “Anything we are called to do in God’s Kingdom requires that we possess a good dose of courage. Courage is critical to being encouraged and the opposite of being discouraged.” My friend even getting up daily and facing life’s responsibilities require “a good dose of courage” and we must not become prey to discouragement but overcome it by fighting the good fight of faith (1Timothy 6:12). First by renewing our minds with the wholesome truth of God’s Word and reminding ourselves of His unfailing goodness. Then by taking the steps to transform the atmosphere around us through intentional praise and thanksgiving. I tell you discouragement cannot stand a praiseful and thankful person, it has to flee! I believe God wants to you to be reminded that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it (Philippians 1:6). For all the promises of God in Him are Yes and in Him Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). There is no unrighteousness with God (Romans 9:14).

Your situation isn’t unique to you, others have gone through and triumphed and so will you. Stay the course and encourage yourself in the Lord your God.

One of the things I’m reminded of is that we don’t live for ourselves. While I may fall into error and take for granted what has been entrusted to me God is saying I’m depending on you to remain an inspiration to others.

I haven’t posted in my blog since the start of the year due to a host of factors. Nonetheless I must be a good steward of my gift and keep on giving through written words of encouragement. So today I want to remind you that you have been chosen for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). You’ve been chosen by God and appointed that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit may remain (John 15:16). Be confident in the fact that God has good thoughts and plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11).

And so the journey continues and I say like Paul in Acts 26:19: “I will not be disobedient to the heavenly vision”. The words of Jesus in Mark 1:38 lend a strong reminder to continue where He said, “for this purpose I have come forth”. You too have been called forth for a particular purpose that only you can do. You’ve been adequately prepared for it. So make a promise to yourself this moment and declare no more stagnation, “I will be what He called me to be.” And I’d love to hear all about it. Thank you for being an encouragement through your comments and emails.

Excellence in 2014

It’s 2014, the year to excel in everything. Wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:13). In all seriousness, may 2014 be the year that mediocrity becomes a lifetime enemy. Refuse to just settle. Instead, seek out excellence and insist on making it your daily standard. And yet I show you a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31). The Spirit of God indeed wants to show you a surpassing way of excellence. Pay keen attention and take notes, there’s so much to learn and apply. 

Do not be ignorant…

For we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). As we take our rightful place in the Kingdom of God and begin to operate in our God-ordained calling, we soon discover that there are indeed devices. They are intended to impede and even stop our progress. Our progression in diverse areas; our praise, ministry to God, and others, yet we have to recall the word: not to be ignorant. Keep wearing the G.O.P.-Garment Of Praise (Isaiah 61:3), it’s proven to successfully militate any device each time!

‘Someone Needs to Be Refreshed’

I don’t know how many of you can relate to such an experience where the heat of the day causes such a thirst that it seems like the only thing that can quench your thirst is a tall glass of cold water, somehow you make it to the refrigerator and the water available is not even enough to fill the glass half way. None the less you drink the water, it is refreshing yes; but you’ve got to have more at the exact cold temperature, nothing else will do.  Room temperature with ice is not the same and tap water is well, blah! You’re dissatisfied to say the least, if only there was more cold water to satisfy that seemingly unquenchable thirst. If you’ve ever had this experience by now you can connect.

This sort of experience plays out regularly as believers interact in the market place. There are people who are thirsty and longing for something to satisfy. Somehow there’s a shortage of something substantial to offer: a smile, a hug, an encouraging word, a warm and pleasant tone-none of which warrants digging into our purse or wallet. Yet these gestures are often taken for granted. Thirst isn’t easily identifiable. You can’t look at someone and point out that they are thirsty but if you take the time to dig under the layers and show you care, that person may just admit “I’m thirsty, can you give me a drink?” In the Gospel of John 4, Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man, found Himself asking for a drink after a wearisome journey from Judea to Galilee. He didn’t ask anyone of the same sex, nationality, or creed. He asked a woman, one who was castigated for being a “city woman” and a Samaritan at that. A quick history lesson shows that Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with each other, yet Christ was open enough to make a simple request of this woman. Their conversation turned into a worship class as Jesus answered her questions and cleared up her misgivings about worship. When He was through, she excitedly evangelized the town, encouraging those she met, “Come, see a Man….”

Who knows what your initiation may produce? Jesus produced countless worshipers from this one encounter. Be prepared to offer a refreshing drink that won’t disappoint. Let it be your daily mantra: who can I refresh today? Remember, whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25b NIV) Happy Refreshing!

Praise the Lord!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6) Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” (Psalm 70:4) The use of the word “Let” in these instances seems to suggest that there would be something (s) preventing us from doing what has been commanded. So I say today, resist every resistance to your praise and Praise the Lord! Speak to your situation (s), whatever it or they may be and say “Let me praise the Lord!” Let your mouth be filled with His praise and with His glory all the day. (Psalm 71:8)

Love Rebukes

John 15:16 has long been one of my favorite scripture verses. I have used it on many occasions to quell my apprehensions about God’s call on my life. This verse has however taken on a new meaning for me.

I had been asking myself certain questions about God’s will for my life. I kept mulling over John 15:16 and it was rather comforting until I heard God’s voice with a certain measure of firmness: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you…” Wow! A verse of comfort had now become one of reproof. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16.)

I mean who am I to question God’s plans for my life? For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Hope that does not disappoint, hope firm to the end because this hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. (Romans 5:5, Hebrews 3:6, 6:19)

My rebuke was well received and warranted. God was actually showing me some LOVE, for whom the Lord loves He chastens (Heb. 12:6.) So on I go, having been sternly reminded that I am chosen and appointed, happy to be found fit for the Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:21.)

Christ, the pattern of obedience

Hebrews 5: 8, 9: “…though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Obedience brings about perfection. It did so in Christ and it will do the same for us as we display obedience to Christ and His commands. “If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”-Isaiah 1: 19, 20.

‘God’s search for true worshipers’

Have you heard that God, the Lord of all the earth is hunting for true worshipers? Well let me tell you all about it. In 2 Chronicles 16:9 we are told: For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. Then, in John 4:23 we find: But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

It may sound strange that a God who receives worship 24/7 is seeking true worshippers. Revelation 4:8, And they (the four living creatures) do not rest day or night, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” I mean the entire book of Revelation paints a vivid picture of heaven brimming with continuous worship. Erick Rikou puts it this way, “God is greedy for worship” and in my opinion He has every right to be. He created the heavens and the earth. Everything exists and was created because of Him and most important of all we have been redeemed because He gave His only begotten Son.

The reasons why God deserves our worship are unending. But He’s not so desperate that He desires just any type of worship. He wants worship that is authentic (true, real, bona fide, genuine). A true worshiper is an heir of salvation and has been washed by the blood of Jesus which gives them access into the Presence behind the veil. Psalms 24:3, 4 gives the criteria for the true worshiper, clean hands and a pure heart. So does Psalm 15:2, one who walks uprightly and speaks the truth in his heart.

Once you have qualified, it requires a commitment to living a lifestyle of worship. Where no matter what the conditions look like your worship remains intact. God is not looking for fair weather worshipers. He wants those who will worship even when the forecast predicts thunderstorms/lightning, wind, rain, or partly cloudy to cloudy with the chance of scattered showers. He wants a whatever- the – weather kind of worshiper and that’s what I want to be as well. Doing it according to the stipulated pattern: in Spirit and in truth.