Matthew 8:13
13Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would."
The measure of faith goes a long way with Jesus. The centurion felt that nothing he obtained was good enough for Jesus. The centurion was a man of great stature who had servants, yet he felt nothing he owned was good enough for Jesus. But he came to Jesus in search of healing not for himself but for the one that had been devoted to him. And he believed that Jesus could do it with an utterance of a word. Jesus was so amazed at the man's level of faith that He decided to heal the servant. It was the measure of faith that brought restoration to one he loved. The centurion was humble though he was great in the sight of others. His concern was not in what he had, but help for one who spent their life serving him. The centurion went to Jesus with love for not only Jesus but with love for the one who served him. In other words, he interceded on his servant's behalf. And his measure of faith delivered the one he loved. How powerful is that? Not only was it a measure of faith but a measure of love. And that's what we need more of. What measure of faith and love are you willing to demonstrate? Do you know that with it, God can use you to increase the faith in another?
P.S. Remember to tune in on Saturday to my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on www.Qliveone.com at 8:30am CT, 2:30pm CT and 8:30pm CT and check out the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment! And check out my girl Stubbs of the Leapoffaithshow on www.leapoffaithshow.com Sunday 6am-10am ET and Monday-Wednesday, 6am-9am ET and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Reciprocal Love
Psalm 4:7
7You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
King David was slandered a lot during his life, especially as king. David sought the Lord to hear his plea. He longed to be free from those who constantly spoke against him and blamed him for their troubles. David noted that though they were angry, to sin in anger and place blame where it didn't belong was detrimental. David may have been facing trouble but his heart was still fixed on the Lord. The heart is the place where emotions and thoughts dwell. David's joy was not focused on temporary circumstances, nor where they focused on the many material possessions he had. David's joy was of the Lord. In the center of controversy, David still had a guarantee that no one could take from him. And that was the reciprocal love relationship he had with the Lord. What circumstances are you in right now? Is it the wrath of someone else's tongue? Is it any other trouble? Make your request to the lover of your soul. The Lord will be your guide. Only He can replace any hurt or burden with love and joy. The more you love the Lord, the more He will love you.
P.S. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19th! I will be having a book signing event at John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham, Md to celebrate the store's anniversary! I will be signing books, taking pictures and hugging necks so join me! You should've received your invitation.
7You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
King David was slandered a lot during his life, especially as king. David sought the Lord to hear his plea. He longed to be free from those who constantly spoke against him and blamed him for their troubles. David noted that though they were angry, to sin in anger and place blame where it didn't belong was detrimental. David may have been facing trouble but his heart was still fixed on the Lord. The heart is the place where emotions and thoughts dwell. David's joy was not focused on temporary circumstances, nor where they focused on the many material possessions he had. David's joy was of the Lord. In the center of controversy, David still had a guarantee that no one could take from him. And that was the reciprocal love relationship he had with the Lord. What circumstances are you in right now? Is it the wrath of someone else's tongue? Is it any other trouble? Make your request to the lover of your soul. The Lord will be your guide. Only He can replace any hurt or burden with love and joy. The more you love the Lord, the more He will love you.
P.S. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19th! I will be having a book signing event at John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham, Md to celebrate the store's anniversary! I will be signing books, taking pictures and hugging necks so join me! You should've received your invitation.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The Designated Role
1Samuel 22:2
22All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
David, the servant of Saul, fled his home once Jonathan sent word via messenger that indeed Saul meant to kill him. Saul wanted to kill him because he knew David was going to succeed him as king. But Saul refused to understand that David was destined as God's choice. David didn't ask for the role but God chose to bless him. David ran to Philistine country thinking he could find shelter there. But alas, even the Philistines knew that David would be king and wanted to take him out. David was considered a threat no matter where he went because of God's anointing covering him. His reputation as a warrior traveled beyond him. David had to pretend to be crazy in order to escape the Philistine king. David fled once again to a cave/fortress filled with other outlaws. And David still could not run from the role God had designated for him. David was recognized as a leader wherever he went. So David finally stopped fighting it and accepted the role given to him by God. Can you imagine fleeing someone because they know who God has called you to be? Can you imagine being David, fleeing from place to place only to find that everyone knows who you are? What then? Like David, face the music and accept the role God has laid before you. When David realized that he must accept his role, the men were willing to rally with him. God will do that to us. Once we're willing to accept what God has for us, we may find support in unlikely places. And David was strengthened. Even if we attempt to hide, when God wants others to know who we are, there's nowhere to run. The best option is to accept the designated role God has laid before us and quickly adapt.
P.S. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19th! I will be having a book signing event at John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham, Md to celebrate the store's anniversary! I will be signing books, taking pictures and hugging necks so join me! You should've received your invitation.
22All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
David, the servant of Saul, fled his home once Jonathan sent word via messenger that indeed Saul meant to kill him. Saul wanted to kill him because he knew David was going to succeed him as king. But Saul refused to understand that David was destined as God's choice. David didn't ask for the role but God chose to bless him. David ran to Philistine country thinking he could find shelter there. But alas, even the Philistines knew that David would be king and wanted to take him out. David was considered a threat no matter where he went because of God's anointing covering him. His reputation as a warrior traveled beyond him. David had to pretend to be crazy in order to escape the Philistine king. David fled once again to a cave/fortress filled with other outlaws. And David still could not run from the role God had designated for him. David was recognized as a leader wherever he went. So David finally stopped fighting it and accepted the role given to him by God. Can you imagine fleeing someone because they know who God has called you to be? Can you imagine being David, fleeing from place to place only to find that everyone knows who you are? What then? Like David, face the music and accept the role God has laid before you. When David realized that he must accept his role, the men were willing to rally with him. God will do that to us. Once we're willing to accept what God has for us, we may find support in unlikely places. And David was strengthened. Even if we attempt to hide, when God wants others to know who we are, there's nowhere to run. The best option is to accept the designated role God has laid before us and quickly adapt.
P.S. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19th! I will be having a book signing event at John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham, Md to celebrate the store's anniversary! I will be signing books, taking pictures and hugging necks so join me! You should've received your invitation.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Right Foundation
Colossians 4:2
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
The apostle Paul provided instructions for households under the Christian faith in the Roman Church. Paul gave each member of the household instructions on how to function so that the household runs like a well-oiled machine. Paul specifically provided three instructions in one verse as general instructions. The first is to pray. "A household that prays together stays together." Praying together puts everyone on one accord in Holy Spirit and allows God's purpose to flourish. Is your household on one accord? Praying together also keeps the enemy at bay. Be watchful. Our spiritual eyes are to always be open and alert. The greatest trick in the world that the enemy has ever played is always based on ignorance. He uses the ignorance of others to hide himself. Not that this will be a pleasant example but it's a great illustration. The reason black slaves were not allowed to be taught to read was because if they could read and gain knowledge, they could no longer be oppressed. It was even illegal for someone to teach a slave to read. The ignorance of the majority of black slaves kept the vicious cycle in rotation. As long as our spiritual eyes remain closed, vicious cycles of sin remain in place. And if we are watchful over each other in our households, what better way to avoid snares. Didn't you know that "four eyes are better than two"? Two eyes can miss something but if four eyes are working together, much can be accomplished. And lastly but not least, be thankful. A grateful heart gives praise and honor to God. It's not only pleasing to Him, but it's what are created to do. Our purpose is always to glorify God. It also places us in the right mindset to prepare for more blessings. Are you thankful? Does your household have the right foundation?
P.S. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19th! I will be having a book signing event at John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham, Md to celebrate the store's anniversary! I will be signing books, taking pictures and hugging necks so join me! You should've received your invitation.
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
The apostle Paul provided instructions for households under the Christian faith in the Roman Church. Paul gave each member of the household instructions on how to function so that the household runs like a well-oiled machine. Paul specifically provided three instructions in one verse as general instructions. The first is to pray. "A household that prays together stays together." Praying together puts everyone on one accord in Holy Spirit and allows God's purpose to flourish. Is your household on one accord? Praying together also keeps the enemy at bay. Be watchful. Our spiritual eyes are to always be open and alert. The greatest trick in the world that the enemy has ever played is always based on ignorance. He uses the ignorance of others to hide himself. Not that this will be a pleasant example but it's a great illustration. The reason black slaves were not allowed to be taught to read was because if they could read and gain knowledge, they could no longer be oppressed. It was even illegal for someone to teach a slave to read. The ignorance of the majority of black slaves kept the vicious cycle in rotation. As long as our spiritual eyes remain closed, vicious cycles of sin remain in place. And if we are watchful over each other in our households, what better way to avoid snares. Didn't you know that "four eyes are better than two"? Two eyes can miss something but if four eyes are working together, much can be accomplished. And lastly but not least, be thankful. A grateful heart gives praise and honor to God. It's not only pleasing to Him, but it's what are created to do. Our purpose is always to glorify God. It also places us in the right mindset to prepare for more blessings. Are you thankful? Does your household have the right foundation?
P.S. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19th! I will be having a book signing event at John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham, Md to celebrate the store's anniversary! I will be signing books, taking pictures and hugging necks so join me! You should've received your invitation.
Monday, November 7, 2011
No Argument
Job 15:2
2Would he argue with useless words, with speeches that have no value?
Job's "friend" Eliphaz was more than upset with Job's response to him. Job was upset because he was suffering as though wasting away and wondering why God had not moved on delivering him from his situation. Eliphaz lost his patience with Job because Job didn't accept his argument for why God had not moved. Eliphaz determined that Job spoke with useless words and that his argument was not valid. In the end, it turned out that all of Job's friends were incorrect in their arguments toward Job's suffering. Have you been in a situation where your friend's arguments differ from yours regarding your situation? What does it mean to argue? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines argue as:
Lawyers argue their positions all the time based on evidence and ask that a decision be rendered by the people. Argue has its roots in Latin. It's from the verb argutare which means to make clear or prove. When one is discussing the circumstances of life, if God is not the source of wisdom and knowledge, then indeed whatever words are said are useless. There is wisdom and knowledge that is of God and then there is simply babble. The ability to discern between the two has a clear line. God is never contrary to His word. He is a God of decency and order. He is never the author of confusion. If there is confusion, rest assured it's not God. God is clear. Since God is the creator of every life, He always knows what's best. There is no disputing God because He just is.
P.S. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19th! I will be having a book signing event at John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham, Md to celebrate the store's anniversary! I will be signing books, taking pictures and hugging necks so join me! You should've received your invitation.
2Would he argue with useless words, with speeches that have no value?
Job's "friend" Eliphaz was more than upset with Job's response to him. Job was upset because he was suffering as though wasting away and wondering why God had not moved on delivering him from his situation. Eliphaz lost his patience with Job because Job didn't accept his argument for why God had not moved. Eliphaz determined that Job spoke with useless words and that his argument was not valid. In the end, it turned out that all of Job's friends were incorrect in their arguments toward Job's suffering. Have you been in a situation where your friend's arguments differ from yours regarding your situation? What does it mean to argue? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines argue as:
1: to give reasons for or against something : reason <argue for a new policy>
2: to contend or disagree in words : dispute <argue about money>
transitive verb
1: to give evidence of : indicate argue his innocence>
2: to consider the pros and cons of : discuss <argue an issue>
3: to prove or try to prove by giving reasons : maintain argue his case>
4: to persuade by giving reasons : induce argue her out of going>
Lawyers argue their positions all the time based on evidence and ask that a decision be rendered by the people. Argue has its roots in Latin. It's from the verb argutare which means to make clear or prove. When one is discussing the circumstances of life, if God is not the source of wisdom and knowledge, then indeed whatever words are said are useless. There is wisdom and knowledge that is of God and then there is simply babble. The ability to discern between the two has a clear line. God is never contrary to His word. He is a God of decency and order. He is never the author of confusion. If there is confusion, rest assured it's not God. God is clear. Since God is the creator of every life, He always knows what's best. There is no disputing God because He just is.
P.S. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19th! I will be having a book signing event at John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham, Md to celebrate the store's anniversary! I will be signing books, taking pictures and hugging necks so join me! You should've received your invitation.
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