Luke 10:23
23Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
The seventy-two that Jesus sent out had returned with a great report. For they saw demons submit to them through the name of Jesus. Jesus recounted to them how he saw Satan's fall from grace. But to know that the seventy-two Jesus sent not only worked in His name but Jesus had given them the authority to do so. Jesus recalled how many of the elders and prophets of old wished to see what the seventy-two witnessed. The coming of Jesus and what he would do had been prophesied about for hundreds of years. To know that the seventy-two had first hand witness to not only the miracles Jesus did himself, but what He could do through them was indeed a blessing!! But the blessing doesn't end there. Jesus said to the disciples that they would do more. Do you know that Jesus has bestowed power and authority to those of us who desire to get close to Him? But we lack power because we lack knowledge. Unfortunately, this is one of the enemy's greatest weapons, he relies on our ignorance that way he can perpetuate the same lies and snares over and over. What good is power in Christ if one doesn't know they have it? What good is power in Christ if one doesn't know how to utilize it? Until we come to the knowledge that in Jesus we have power, we will continue to allow the enemy to reign. How about picking up the sword, which is the Word of God? How about using prayer and meditation to speak to the Lord and listening to Him speak back to know which move to make next? How about letting Jesus show you how to go behind enemy lines without so much as a scratch? But what do you see if you do not know? Absolutely nothing.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Will You Go?
Matthew 9:37
37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."
Jesus went about teaching and preaching the good news!! It was during that time that he saw so many people who were hungry and thirsty for what food and drink could not satisfy. It was then that he made known to the disciples just how much work needs to be done but not everyone is willing. If the Holy Spirit asked you to sit with the one person in the room that no one was talking or felt out of place, would you go? If the Holy Spirit asked you to provide a random act of kindness to someone you didn't know, would you go? If the Holy Spirit asked you to call on someone though you didn't know the reason, would you go? If the Holy Spirit asked you to go to an event that you normally wouldn't attend because someone there needed support, would you go? No matter what the Lord's asking of you, the question is, would you go? If you're answer is yes, then He will use you. If your answer is yes, then you will have a fulfillment that you never thought possible. If your answer is yes, then you're telling Him you love Him and want to serve Him any way He sees fit. If your answer is yes, then you have indeed surrendered to Him.
P.S. Tune in to Artist to Artist with my man V of www.Qliveone.com as you can now hear the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment every Saturday at 8:30am, 2:30pm and 8:30pm on his show!! This Saturday's artist interview is with Amel Larrieux.
37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."
Jesus went about teaching and preaching the good news!! It was during that time that he saw so many people who were hungry and thirsty for what food and drink could not satisfy. It was then that he made known to the disciples just how much work needs to be done but not everyone is willing. If the Holy Spirit asked you to sit with the one person in the room that no one was talking or felt out of place, would you go? If the Holy Spirit asked you to provide a random act of kindness to someone you didn't know, would you go? If the Holy Spirit asked you to call on someone though you didn't know the reason, would you go? If the Holy Spirit asked you to go to an event that you normally wouldn't attend because someone there needed support, would you go? No matter what the Lord's asking of you, the question is, would you go? If you're answer is yes, then He will use you. If your answer is yes, then you will have a fulfillment that you never thought possible. If your answer is yes, then you're telling Him you love Him and want to serve Him any way He sees fit. If your answer is yes, then you have indeed surrendered to Him.
P.S. Tune in to Artist to Artist with my man V of www.Qliveone.com as you can now hear the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment every Saturday at 8:30am, 2:30pm and 8:30pm on his show!! This Saturday's artist interview is with Amel Larrieux.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
What Song Are You Singing?
Psalm 98:1a
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things;
A psalm about celebration is one to uplift the spirit. In this case it's not just about uplifting one's own spirit but about giving praise to the Lord. If you are reading this message, then there's two reasons to celebrate. Reason #1 you are alive and reason #2 you can see. We can start our morning with a grateful spirit or with a complaining spirit. The first two reasons are marvelous in themselves so what reasons to celebrate! Not everyone that went to sleep last night woke up this morning. And not everyone that woke up has sight. If you are breathing, you still have purpose that you have not yet reached. And if you have, you haven't done it enough yet. But are you singing a song of celebration? Are you singing a song of woe is me? The psalmist makes a call or declaration for us to sing a new song. Whatever song we've been singing, if it's not one of celebration to the Lord, then sooner or later it sounds like a broken record even to Him. Appreciate Him for the things He doesn't have to do for you but does anyway out of love. Appreciate that just when you need a hug or word of encouragement, it arrives. That's the Lord showing His love and that's marvelous!! What song are you singing?
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things;
A psalm about celebration is one to uplift the spirit. In this case it's not just about uplifting one's own spirit but about giving praise to the Lord. If you are reading this message, then there's two reasons to celebrate. Reason #1 you are alive and reason #2 you can see. We can start our morning with a grateful spirit or with a complaining spirit. The first two reasons are marvelous in themselves so what reasons to celebrate! Not everyone that went to sleep last night woke up this morning. And not everyone that woke up has sight. If you are breathing, you still have purpose that you have not yet reached. And if you have, you haven't done it enough yet. But are you singing a song of celebration? Are you singing a song of woe is me? The psalmist makes a call or declaration for us to sing a new song. Whatever song we've been singing, if it's not one of celebration to the Lord, then sooner or later it sounds like a broken record even to Him. Appreciate Him for the things He doesn't have to do for you but does anyway out of love. Appreciate that just when you need a hug or word of encouragement, it arrives. That's the Lord showing His love and that's marvelous!! What song are you singing?
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Have Your Own
Matthew 25:8-9
8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
9'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
Jesus gave a lovely parable about the ten virgins who attended to the bride to prepare her for the bridegroom. It was an illustration of what it would be like if people didn't take seriously the idea that one day Jesus would return. No it's not yet. But if it were, would you be ready? Like the five foolish virgins, many assume they can do what they want to do. When the consequences of their actions or the lack there of appear, they want to be bailed out. The five foolish virgins wanted the five wise virgins to bail them out with their oil. The oil of the lamp used was olive oil. In the Old Testament, olive oil is also used as part of the anointing oil. The oil of the lamps represents the anointing that is available to all of us as believers in Christ. Unfortunately, lack of development hinders the anointing God has placed on each of us and like the lamp of the foolish virgins, the light can go out. Our light can dim and go out if we poison it with so many things including our unwillingness to grow in Christ. According to the NIV Study Bible, "When Christ returns, preparedness cannot be shared or transferred." In other words, just because your grandma knew Jesus doesn't mean you do. Nothing is automatic. You have to have your own relationship with Christ. Jesus is the lamp and if you don't have the oil or anointing which comes from a deep relationship with Christ, like the five foolish virgins, you may be left behind. Don't be left behind because you're depending on someone else's relationship with Christ. As Billie Holiday once sang, "Mama may have, papa may have but God Bless the child that's got his own." Have your own.
8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
9'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
Jesus gave a lovely parable about the ten virgins who attended to the bride to prepare her for the bridegroom. It was an illustration of what it would be like if people didn't take seriously the idea that one day Jesus would return. No it's not yet. But if it were, would you be ready? Like the five foolish virgins, many assume they can do what they want to do. When the consequences of their actions or the lack there of appear, they want to be bailed out. The five foolish virgins wanted the five wise virgins to bail them out with their oil. The oil of the lamp used was olive oil. In the Old Testament, olive oil is also used as part of the anointing oil. The oil of the lamps represents the anointing that is available to all of us as believers in Christ. Unfortunately, lack of development hinders the anointing God has placed on each of us and like the lamp of the foolish virgins, the light can go out. Our light can dim and go out if we poison it with so many things including our unwillingness to grow in Christ. According to the NIV Study Bible, "When Christ returns, preparedness cannot be shared or transferred." In other words, just because your grandma knew Jesus doesn't mean you do. Nothing is automatic. You have to have your own relationship with Christ. Jesus is the lamp and if you don't have the oil or anointing which comes from a deep relationship with Christ, like the five foolish virgins, you may be left behind. Don't be left behind because you're depending on someone else's relationship with Christ. As Billie Holiday once sang, "Mama may have, papa may have but God Bless the child that's got his own." Have your own.
Monday, August 29, 2011
A Secure Lot
Psalm 16:5
5Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
The psalm of David is one regarding safe keeping according to the NIV Study Bible. David needed protection against the threat of death. For many this past week on the East Coast in the U.S., the petition was just that. One of safe keeping. Many of us this week in the Eastern U.S. have endured more natural disasters in one week then some see in one lifetime. And in comparison to others, a drop in the bucket. In any case, God secured our lot. But now he passed over you and me just as he did the Israelites during the first passover in Egypt. What thanks has he received? Have you reconsidered your ways? Have you repented unto the Lord? Why did he secure your lot and mine? To give us another chance to desire to grow closer to Him. Another chance for Him to draw closer to you as He so desires. Another chance for you and me to live out our true purpose, the purpose He created us for. Remember, when you don't learn the lesson the first time around, it will come again. He loves us and desires our growth like a parent. Did you get it? If not, will you be ready for the next time?
5Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
The psalm of David is one regarding safe keeping according to the NIV Study Bible. David needed protection against the threat of death. For many this past week on the East Coast in the U.S., the petition was just that. One of safe keeping. Many of us this week in the Eastern U.S. have endured more natural disasters in one week then some see in one lifetime. And in comparison to others, a drop in the bucket. In any case, God secured our lot. But now he passed over you and me just as he did the Israelites during the first passover in Egypt. What thanks has he received? Have you reconsidered your ways? Have you repented unto the Lord? Why did he secure your lot and mine? To give us another chance to desire to grow closer to Him. Another chance for Him to draw closer to you as He so desires. Another chance for you and me to live out our true purpose, the purpose He created us for. Remember, when you don't learn the lesson the first time around, it will come again. He loves us and desires our growth like a parent. Did you get it? If not, will you be ready for the next time?
Friday, August 26, 2011
Are You Willing to Give it Up?
Luke 18:21-22
21"All these things I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me."
The rich young ruler bragged of how he kept all the commandments. Some of us wonder why Jesus would say what he said. He wasn't saying there was anything wrong with money. He wanted to show the ruler that he had indeed violated the first commandment which is to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and all our might and to have no other gods before Him. The ruler had made what he desired most more important than God. He never saw it that way but Jesus showed it to him by asking him to give it up. Now it doesn't have to be money but what in our lives have we desired more than God? It's not always material either. But it's an illustration that God wants ALL of us to love and worship Him first. The Lord blessed Abraham with a seed that would make the father of many nations. The Lord tested him though. He told him he'd have to sacrifice Isaac back to Him. The Lord only tested him to see if he would not only be faithful but if he would give up that which he most desired. Abraham passed the test. If the Lord came to you right now and said give up _____ (fill in the blank with what you desire most), would you do it? Would you be able to give it up? If your answer is no, then you have your answer to what it is that you love more than you love the Lord. He already knows but like the rich young ruler, he wants you to see it for yourself. Not to point a finger at you but to bring you to a place of repentance and deliverance from whatever it is your holding on to more than you hold on to Him. Will you let go? Are you willing to give it up?
21"All these things I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me."
The rich young ruler bragged of how he kept all the commandments. Some of us wonder why Jesus would say what he said. He wasn't saying there was anything wrong with money. He wanted to show the ruler that he had indeed violated the first commandment which is to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and all our might and to have no other gods before Him. The ruler had made what he desired most more important than God. He never saw it that way but Jesus showed it to him by asking him to give it up. Now it doesn't have to be money but what in our lives have we desired more than God? It's not always material either. But it's an illustration that God wants ALL of us to love and worship Him first. The Lord blessed Abraham with a seed that would make the father of many nations. The Lord tested him though. He told him he'd have to sacrifice Isaac back to Him. The Lord only tested him to see if he would not only be faithful but if he would give up that which he most desired. Abraham passed the test. If the Lord came to you right now and said give up _____ (fill in the blank with what you desire most), would you do it? Would you be able to give it up? If your answer is no, then you have your answer to what it is that you love more than you love the Lord. He already knows but like the rich young ruler, he wants you to see it for yourself. Not to point a finger at you but to bring you to a place of repentance and deliverance from whatever it is your holding on to more than you hold on to Him. Will you let go? Are you willing to give it up?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
A Different Approach
Mark 1:40
40A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Can you imagine being the man with leprosy and how much he endured? He approached Jesus with the faith that Jesus could heal him but unlike the others, he took a different approach. "If you are willing." The man with leprosy was willing to accept whatever Jesus determined should be his state. This approach, which is not seen as much in the ministry of Jesus, because those that approached Jesus either lacked faith when asking or just declared in their faith that what they desired would be done. But what about what He wants? Like the man with leprosy, he knew Jesus could do it but what if what you think is the path is not the Lord's path for you? What if you must be brought closer to him by your circumstances? Maybe prior to whatever you were or are enduring you didn't or don't talk to him often. What if what he wants from you He knows he can only get by you being in unpleasant circumstances just a little while longer? All He wants is for us to be willing to submit to whatever He wants for us. We don't like the word submit because we don't like not being in control. But based on whatever we're going through etc, He's showing that none of us are in as much control as we would like to believe. Yes, we can control our actions and reactions but that's about as much as we can control. Have you asked the Lord what He wants you to do? Have you asked Him what path He wants you to take? Have you asked Him if what you desire in your life is what He wants in your life? If you ask Him, you may be surprised with His response.
40A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Can you imagine being the man with leprosy and how much he endured? He approached Jesus with the faith that Jesus could heal him but unlike the others, he took a different approach. "If you are willing." The man with leprosy was willing to accept whatever Jesus determined should be his state. This approach, which is not seen as much in the ministry of Jesus, because those that approached Jesus either lacked faith when asking or just declared in their faith that what they desired would be done. But what about what He wants? Like the man with leprosy, he knew Jesus could do it but what if what you think is the path is not the Lord's path for you? What if you must be brought closer to him by your circumstances? Maybe prior to whatever you were or are enduring you didn't or don't talk to him often. What if what he wants from you He knows he can only get by you being in unpleasant circumstances just a little while longer? All He wants is for us to be willing to submit to whatever He wants for us. We don't like the word submit because we don't like not being in control. But based on whatever we're going through etc, He's showing that none of us are in as much control as we would like to believe. Yes, we can control our actions and reactions but that's about as much as we can control. Have you asked the Lord what He wants you to do? Have you asked Him what path He wants you to take? Have you asked Him if what you desire in your life is what He wants in your life? If you ask Him, you may be surprised with His response.
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