Proverbs 11:18
18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
If you use lies, deceit or cheat to obtain anything, is what you
obtained yours? The answer is no. If you have to lie, deceive or cheat
to obtain something then it means that you may not have received it
otherwise. It's your attempt at playing God to create a blessing for
yourself that God didn't release to you. Simply put, greed and
selfishness. In this society deceptive ways have become a way of life.
The reason King Solomon called the wages deceptive is because they do
not last. Anything not obtained the right way and for the right reason
will flee. It's simply a matter of when not if. God is the one who
releases blessings and if He didn't see fit for you to have it, you will
lose it. What He gives to you no one can take away. God's law of
sowing and reaping as stated in Galatians 6:8 is sovereign whether you
believe it or not is of no value- God's law still stands. The word given
in Galatians 6:8 says The one who sows to please his sinful nature will
reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the
Spirit will reap eternal life. Destruction comes in many forms. Those
who obtain anything the right way and for the right reason are the ones
with the real reward because God gave it. The ones who do it, "by any
means necessary" are saying they are not good enough to receive it God's
way, therefore doing it Satan's way as he is the father of lies, is
their only option. Remember, in the end Satan loses. So anyone who uses
Satan's ways to obtain anything also loses. Is what you obtained really
yours?
Remember to let me know if you will be joining me on Saturday, August 25th at Family Christian Bookstore in Elkridge, MD (Gateway Overlook) anytime between 12-4pm. There is a free gift with every purchase of Get Your JOY In The Morning.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Unbroken Chain
Lamentations 5:15
15Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.
Joy is happiness. But when the joy is gone, it's visible. There was a reason Israel was unhappy. Israel had done the unthinkable in the eyes of God and therefore paid for it with the loss of joy, laughter and happiness, even peace of mind. Israel turned to Egypt and Assyria continually for their protection, for their necessities instead of turning to the Lord. Israel sought after the enemy to sustain them but did not think about the cost they would have to pay. Israel had to be at the mercy of Egypt and Assyria. And eventually, Egypt and Assyria turned on them. The Lord already knew this would happen and that's why He didn't want Israel to seek anyone for their needs outside of Him. How does this relate to you? Temporary or momentary satisfaction provided by anything else outside of the will of God will crumble sooner or later. The smile becomes a frown. Peace becomes grief and the problems feel like an unbroken chain. Egypt and Assyria said whatever had to be said to gain the trust of Israel so they would be indebted to them. Who has said or promised you whatever needed to gain your trust? What did God tell you in regards to them? Did you even seek God? When God says don't trust the ways of man but trust His way, there's a reason. When God tells you don't seek alliances with the enemy to obtain anything, He means it. He knows that sooner or later you will have more trouble then you are aware of. He knows the peace He's provided to you will be lost at your own doing. You don't have to lose your joy and peace if you seek God FIRST not last. The unbroken chain of problems and discord doesn't have to be when your obedient to God.
Remember to check out my girl Stubbs of the Leap of Faith Network from 6-9am ET on www.live365.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
15Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.
Joy is happiness. But when the joy is gone, it's visible. There was a reason Israel was unhappy. Israel had done the unthinkable in the eyes of God and therefore paid for it with the loss of joy, laughter and happiness, even peace of mind. Israel turned to Egypt and Assyria continually for their protection, for their necessities instead of turning to the Lord. Israel sought after the enemy to sustain them but did not think about the cost they would have to pay. Israel had to be at the mercy of Egypt and Assyria. And eventually, Egypt and Assyria turned on them. The Lord already knew this would happen and that's why He didn't want Israel to seek anyone for their needs outside of Him. How does this relate to you? Temporary or momentary satisfaction provided by anything else outside of the will of God will crumble sooner or later. The smile becomes a frown. Peace becomes grief and the problems feel like an unbroken chain. Egypt and Assyria said whatever had to be said to gain the trust of Israel so they would be indebted to them. Who has said or promised you whatever needed to gain your trust? What did God tell you in regards to them? Did you even seek God? When God says don't trust the ways of man but trust His way, there's a reason. When God tells you don't seek alliances with the enemy to obtain anything, He means it. He knows that sooner or later you will have more trouble then you are aware of. He knows the peace He's provided to you will be lost at your own doing. You don't have to lose your joy and peace if you seek God FIRST not last. The unbroken chain of problems and discord doesn't have to be when your obedient to God.
Remember to check out my girl Stubbs of the Leap of Faith Network from 6-9am ET on www.live365.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Making a Mark
1Timothy 4:12
12Don't Let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
The apostle Paul addressed Timothy in a letter as he called him to oversee the church in Ephesus. Timothy was much younger than most but his foundation was strong. He was raised by an awesome mother and grandmother who were strong in their faith. When Paul met Timothy, he took him under his wing as mentor and father figure. Paul's knowledge of Christ was overwhelming like none other as he went from one who persecuted Christ to one who preached Christ. The apostle Paul contributed greatly to the New Testament. So indeed, Timothy was in good hands. But as we know, there are those who doubted Timothy based solely on his age. Paul encouraged Timothy to continue to be an example in every area of his life that his example would win them over. Leadership is not about age, nor is it solely based on title. It's really about being an example. Some of the greatest influencers of the world were young when they started. Let's just start with Jesus. Though Jesus didn't begin his public ministry until he was thirty years old, he was an influencer from birth. He went from being taught and led by his earthly mother, to being her Savior and our Savior. And he didn't have a title in the eyes of the Pharisees and Saducees other than trouble maker. His title, his authority all came from God the Father. His main purpose is to be an example of light to a dying a world...both then and now. Timothy, though young and given a title, was to simply be an example. Without being an example, his title meant nothing to those who were further along in life. The age and title should not be the dictator of anyone's mark in the world. But let it be of the example they live and who they inspire to do better and be better.
Remember to check out my man V on the Artist to Artist Show on www.Qliveone.com on Mondays! Please note the upcoming Get Your JOY In The Morning book signing event on August 25th at Family Christian Bookstore has been publicly recognized by WUSA Channel 9 News and 97.1 WASH FM as a community event! This is a great opportunity to minister to many through the gift of writing! PRAISE THE LORD!!
12Don't Let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
The apostle Paul addressed Timothy in a letter as he called him to oversee the church in Ephesus. Timothy was much younger than most but his foundation was strong. He was raised by an awesome mother and grandmother who were strong in their faith. When Paul met Timothy, he took him under his wing as mentor and father figure. Paul's knowledge of Christ was overwhelming like none other as he went from one who persecuted Christ to one who preached Christ. The apostle Paul contributed greatly to the New Testament. So indeed, Timothy was in good hands. But as we know, there are those who doubted Timothy based solely on his age. Paul encouraged Timothy to continue to be an example in every area of his life that his example would win them over. Leadership is not about age, nor is it solely based on title. It's really about being an example. Some of the greatest influencers of the world were young when they started. Let's just start with Jesus. Though Jesus didn't begin his public ministry until he was thirty years old, he was an influencer from birth. He went from being taught and led by his earthly mother, to being her Savior and our Savior. And he didn't have a title in the eyes of the Pharisees and Saducees other than trouble maker. His title, his authority all came from God the Father. His main purpose is to be an example of light to a dying a world...both then and now. Timothy, though young and given a title, was to simply be an example. Without being an example, his title meant nothing to those who were further along in life. The age and title should not be the dictator of anyone's mark in the world. But let it be of the example they live and who they inspire to do better and be better.
Remember to check out my man V on the Artist to Artist Show on www.Qliveone.com on Mondays! Please note the upcoming Get Your JOY In The Morning book signing event on August 25th at Family Christian Bookstore has been publicly recognized by WUSA Channel 9 News and 97.1 WASH FM as a community event! This is a great opportunity to minister to many through the gift of writing! PRAISE THE LORD!!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Obedience is a True Sign of Love
John 14:23
23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Did you know that obedience to the Lord is a true sign of love? Many say they love the Lord but when He says to do something they won't do it. That's not you is it? Jesus spoke to the disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit. Judas had just asked why Jesus would show himself to them and not the world. Verse 23 was the answer. Of course Judas was the one who betrayed Jesus. He didn't love Jesus but turned his back on Him for money. He sold Jesus out because he was more in love with money than he was with God. The Lord knows your heart and He knows if you're not willing to obey Him that you're not in love with Him as much as you claim to be in the public eye or even in church on Sunday. Maybe you're just not at that level yet you say? But if you're not even willing to work at it, then you don't even want to be. It's the same as what the apostle Paul talks about in a marriage in Ephesians 5:21. Many do not know but a true marriage is supposed to replicate the relationship between Christ and the church. There is a mutual submission/obedience that takes place. Not doing so to one another is saying to each other and to the Lord that you're not really in love with the person you married. It's a true sign of love. A husband who does what his wife asks does so because he's in love with her and wants to see her happy. The wife who obeys her husband does so because she's in love with her husband and wants to see him happy. The obedience to the Lord is not a means to an end neither is obedience to your husband or wife. You do it out of love. Your relationship with Christ or the lack their of will reflect in every area of your life. How many times have you said you love the Lord? Do you know when you submit to Him you're saying you're faithful to Him? He will return that love as well. That's what Judas didn't understand. All he saw was money even with the bottle of perfume that was used on Jesus' feet.
Remember to check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Network on www.live365.com!
23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Did you know that obedience to the Lord is a true sign of love? Many say they love the Lord but when He says to do something they won't do it. That's not you is it? Jesus spoke to the disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit. Judas had just asked why Jesus would show himself to them and not the world. Verse 23 was the answer. Of course Judas was the one who betrayed Jesus. He didn't love Jesus but turned his back on Him for money. He sold Jesus out because he was more in love with money than he was with God. The Lord knows your heart and He knows if you're not willing to obey Him that you're not in love with Him as much as you claim to be in the public eye or even in church on Sunday. Maybe you're just not at that level yet you say? But if you're not even willing to work at it, then you don't even want to be. It's the same as what the apostle Paul talks about in a marriage in Ephesians 5:21. Many do not know but a true marriage is supposed to replicate the relationship between Christ and the church. There is a mutual submission/obedience that takes place. Not doing so to one another is saying to each other and to the Lord that you're not really in love with the person you married. It's a true sign of love. A husband who does what his wife asks does so because he's in love with her and wants to see her happy. The wife who obeys her husband does so because she's in love with her husband and wants to see him happy. The obedience to the Lord is not a means to an end neither is obedience to your husband or wife. You do it out of love. Your relationship with Christ or the lack their of will reflect in every area of your life. How many times have you said you love the Lord? Do you know when you submit to Him you're saying you're faithful to Him? He will return that love as well. That's what Judas didn't understand. All he saw was money even with the bottle of perfume that was used on Jesus' feet.
Remember to check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Network on www.live365.com!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Revelation in Dreams
1Kings 3:5
5At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon had just taken the reign as king when David died. Solomon was young as many kings were during that period. But this isn't really about Solomon's reign. It's more about revelation brought forth in a dream. In psychology, it is taught that dreams are the way your subconscious mind speaks to you. And while some of that is true, especially if you are listening to the radio or watching TV just before you fall asleep or thinking of the events of the day, what your mind is receiving can be played back in a dream. But scripture says that it can also be a way the Lord speaks to you as said by Job's friend Elihu in Job 33:14-15 "For God does speak-now one way, now another- though man ma not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds," In Genesis 37 Joseph has several dreams and one revealed his future and what his brothers would be doing. Joseph telling the dream was the catalyst to him being sold to the Egyptians but was still part of his destiny that God worked for his good that ultimately led him right to where God showed him in the dream. Joseph not only had prophetic dreams but God gave him the ability to interpret them as He did Daniel after the Israelites were captured by the Babylonians. God gave revelation to Aaron and Miriam at the tent regarding dreams In Numbers 12:6 he said, Listen to my words: "When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams."
Yes, there are many references to dreams in the Old Testament but there are references in the New Testament as well. In Matthew 1:20 Joseph was going to rid himself of Mary after it was found that she was with child but she was carrying our Savior, Jesus Christ. The angel spoke to Joseph son of David in a dream to console him. In acts 2:17 which is a reference to Joel 2:28 talks of dreams being more prevalent in the last days. The purpose of all of this is not to say that if you have a dream you are a prophet. The office of a prophet is completely different. There is a gifting of prophecy that God can bestow upon anyone at any given time to reveal what God is doing and His direction but also a warning that requires a person's actions to change. The best way to tell if what you've seen in a dream is real is to inquire of the Lord. He says in His word that when you ask it will be given to you. This is as long as you believe and ask with the right intentions. The Lord desires to speak to you. The way in which He speaks to you is decided on 1) His preference and 2) what you are most receptive to. Remember, the Lord knows you better than anyone because He created you so He knows what you will respond to. If a dream is the way He gets your attention, then it will be so.
May you be blessed and receive comfort.
Please join me on Thursday, August 2nd at 8pm ET as I will be on WordThirst Radio with Ashea Goldson for an interview to promote my book, Get Your JOY In The Morning!
5At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon had just taken the reign as king when David died. Solomon was young as many kings were during that period. But this isn't really about Solomon's reign. It's more about revelation brought forth in a dream. In psychology, it is taught that dreams are the way your subconscious mind speaks to you. And while some of that is true, especially if you are listening to the radio or watching TV just before you fall asleep or thinking of the events of the day, what your mind is receiving can be played back in a dream. But scripture says that it can also be a way the Lord speaks to you as said by Job's friend Elihu in Job 33:14-15 "For God does speak-now one way, now another- though man ma not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds," In Genesis 37 Joseph has several dreams and one revealed his future and what his brothers would be doing. Joseph telling the dream was the catalyst to him being sold to the Egyptians but was still part of his destiny that God worked for his good that ultimately led him right to where God showed him in the dream. Joseph not only had prophetic dreams but God gave him the ability to interpret them as He did Daniel after the Israelites were captured by the Babylonians. God gave revelation to Aaron and Miriam at the tent regarding dreams In Numbers 12:6 he said, Listen to my words: "When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams."
Yes, there are many references to dreams in the Old Testament but there are references in the New Testament as well. In Matthew 1:20 Joseph was going to rid himself of Mary after it was found that she was with child but she was carrying our Savior, Jesus Christ. The angel spoke to Joseph son of David in a dream to console him. In acts 2:17 which is a reference to Joel 2:28 talks of dreams being more prevalent in the last days. The purpose of all of this is not to say that if you have a dream you are a prophet. The office of a prophet is completely different. There is a gifting of prophecy that God can bestow upon anyone at any given time to reveal what God is doing and His direction but also a warning that requires a person's actions to change. The best way to tell if what you've seen in a dream is real is to inquire of the Lord. He says in His word that when you ask it will be given to you. This is as long as you believe and ask with the right intentions. The Lord desires to speak to you. The way in which He speaks to you is decided on 1) His preference and 2) what you are most receptive to. Remember, the Lord knows you better than anyone because He created you so He knows what you will respond to. If a dream is the way He gets your attention, then it will be so.
May you be blessed and receive comfort.
Please join me on Thursday, August 2nd at 8pm ET as I will be on WordThirst Radio with Ashea Goldson for an interview to promote my book, Get Your JOY In The Morning!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Who's Making it Happen?
Philippians 4:13
13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
The apostle Paul was very thankful to the church of Philippi for all their wonderful kindness in providing gifts to him. There was a slight delay as his travels were not set in stone. But he noted to them that he was content regardless of receiving them or not. Many of us have heard this scripture often use to justify the agenda of the one saying it. But here's a question for you. Is Christ making it happen or are you? Remember the apostle Paul says "through him". So we are not to do anything on our own accord without Christ. But how many do? When you are the one doing it and not Christ, quite frankly, it's short lived. Remember Christ is from ever lasting to ever lasting. Before Abraham was, "He is". Present tense. It is Christ who outlasts the world and Satan. So therefore, anything done in Christ's strength is guaranteed to last. Just saying this verse doesn't make it so. It must be the Lord's plan for you. If it is not His plan for you nor His time for you, then whatever has been done can blow away like the wind. The Lord stated in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Remember the key words, "For I know the plans". Are you working on the Lord's plans for you or your own? If they are your own then you are not doing them in His strength but yours. Therefore you are making them happen. When you are following the Lord's plan for your life, they outlast what you could ever do on your own. See, when it's temporary, it doesn't have to necessarily come from God. You could be receiving assistance from the enemy and not even know. The enemy is a liar, cunning and seeks to steal, kill and destroy. What better way to set you up then to let you think, "you got it" like that, only to find out that if Christ had done it, you would be fine. So again, Who's making it happen? Is it you or Christ?
Remember to check out my man V on the Artist to Artist Show today on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
The apostle Paul was very thankful to the church of Philippi for all their wonderful kindness in providing gifts to him. There was a slight delay as his travels were not set in stone. But he noted to them that he was content regardless of receiving them or not. Many of us have heard this scripture often use to justify the agenda of the one saying it. But here's a question for you. Is Christ making it happen or are you? Remember the apostle Paul says "through him". So we are not to do anything on our own accord without Christ. But how many do? When you are the one doing it and not Christ, quite frankly, it's short lived. Remember Christ is from ever lasting to ever lasting. Before Abraham was, "He is". Present tense. It is Christ who outlasts the world and Satan. So therefore, anything done in Christ's strength is guaranteed to last. Just saying this verse doesn't make it so. It must be the Lord's plan for you. If it is not His plan for you nor His time for you, then whatever has been done can blow away like the wind. The Lord stated in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Remember the key words, "For I know the plans". Are you working on the Lord's plans for you or your own? If they are your own then you are not doing them in His strength but yours. Therefore you are making them happen. When you are following the Lord's plan for your life, they outlast what you could ever do on your own. See, when it's temporary, it doesn't have to necessarily come from God. You could be receiving assistance from the enemy and not even know. The enemy is a liar, cunning and seeks to steal, kill and destroy. What better way to set you up then to let you think, "you got it" like that, only to find out that if Christ had done it, you would be fine. So again, Who's making it happen? Is it you or Christ?
Remember to check out my man V on the Artist to Artist Show today on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Using You For A Cause
Romans 12:20
20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Last Sunday the Lord gave me this scripture early in the morning before turning on my computer. I had learned of a public figure's tragedy and posted the example without posting the scripture on purpose to see if anyone would get it. The Lord has brought me to this scripture again. The apostle Paul had addressed the church in Rome regarding love. He recalled the words of Jesus who said you and I are to love our enemies. First and foremost, revenge is not for you and I to execute but for the Lord in His time. Have you ever had someone mistreat you, talk about you, cast you to the side or mock you? Then later, they have to come to you and ask for help? Or even better, God sends you to help them? Why? In the case of Usher (ex from Facebook) his ex-wife needed his help to get to her son. But she had dragged his name through the mud in the custody battle over the children they had together. When she asked for help, he helped her. Unfortunately, she lost her first son. A new perspective for her to now value the remaining children and know that children are precious to the Lord and are not to be pawns to obtain a means. What about you? Do you have a story of someone coming to you or the Lord sending you after one has mistreated you? Zondervan's NIV Study Bible translates the scripture as the following that brought so much clarity to me and He has compelled me to share with you.
"heaping burning coals on his head. Doing good to one's enemy instead of trying to take revenge may bring about his repentance."
So basically, you helping your enemies is not for your satisfaction nor is it to torture you. The Lord simply wants to use you to cause them to repent for their actions and turn to Him. Now if they don't, that's between them and the Lord. He will punish them the way He sees fit at the time He sees fit. For some, the punishment is simply having to receive help from you while knowing what they did. It's called guilt. The guilt is supposed to bring them to the point of humility that they repent. If they are too stubborn, then God will allow more suffering to plague them that their pride will break.
Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on www.Qliveone.com on Mondays and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Last Sunday the Lord gave me this scripture early in the morning before turning on my computer. I had learned of a public figure's tragedy and posted the example without posting the scripture on purpose to see if anyone would get it. The Lord has brought me to this scripture again. The apostle Paul had addressed the church in Rome regarding love. He recalled the words of Jesus who said you and I are to love our enemies. First and foremost, revenge is not for you and I to execute but for the Lord in His time. Have you ever had someone mistreat you, talk about you, cast you to the side or mock you? Then later, they have to come to you and ask for help? Or even better, God sends you to help them? Why? In the case of Usher (ex from Facebook) his ex-wife needed his help to get to her son. But she had dragged his name through the mud in the custody battle over the children they had together. When she asked for help, he helped her. Unfortunately, she lost her first son. A new perspective for her to now value the remaining children and know that children are precious to the Lord and are not to be pawns to obtain a means. What about you? Do you have a story of someone coming to you or the Lord sending you after one has mistreated you? Zondervan's NIV Study Bible translates the scripture as the following that brought so much clarity to me and He has compelled me to share with you.
"heaping burning coals on his head. Doing good to one's enemy instead of trying to take revenge may bring about his repentance."
So basically, you helping your enemies is not for your satisfaction nor is it to torture you. The Lord simply wants to use you to cause them to repent for their actions and turn to Him. Now if they don't, that's between them and the Lord. He will punish them the way He sees fit at the time He sees fit. For some, the punishment is simply having to receive help from you while knowing what they did. It's called guilt. The guilt is supposed to bring them to the point of humility that they repent. If they are too stubborn, then God will allow more suffering to plague them that their pride will break.
Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on www.Qliveone.com on Mondays and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
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