Luke 22:32
32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Before
Jesus was arrested He warned Simon Peter that Satan "asked" to test
him. Just as Satan asked God if he could "test" Job, so he did the same
with Simon Peter. OH BUT GOD! God had his fail proof plan in place! His
fail proof plan was Jesus! Jesus had already interceded on Simon Peter's
behalf. For He said, "And when you have turned back", as indication
that Simon Peter would stumble a little but he would not be hopeless.
And after Simon Peter's test, his instructions were clear, strengthen
the others.
Do you know that because God loves you, thinks the
world of you and has plans for you, you are an enemy to Satan? You are
an enemy to Satan because you seek to honor God with your life. So what
is Satan's motive? His motive is to prove that you are not who you claim
to be to God. His motive is to also take your future. How so? With a
test. The purpose of the test is to show that you don't deserve whatever
it is God has waiting for you. But the devil is a
liar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And that's why God allows you to be
tested. God's purpose is to show that you ARE who He says you are. God's
purpose is to show that your faith is stronger than what the devil can
see! And when you have turned back, your instructions are clear,
strengthen your brothers and sisters in Christ. Let them know that just
because they're in the test, doesn't mean they are doomed to fail. God
believes enough in you that He sent Jesus to intercede on your behalf
and believes in you so He expects and sees a favorable outcome.
P.S. Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on Mondays and Saturdays on www.Qliveoneone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Display A Crown
Proverbs 12:4
4A wife of noble character is her husband's crown but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
The wise King Solomon even gave wisdom on the type of wife a man ought to take. Ruth is described as a woman of noble character. She was one who worked hard in the field and had a good reputation with the townsmen as Boaz pointed out in Ruth 3:11. Ruth wasn't just looking for a handout. She honestly wanted to work to support herself and Noami, the woman who looked after her after her first husband's passing. Ruth was kind. She received favor and double portion because she was faithful in her work and her kindness of caring for Naomi though she herself was not of Naomi's blood. What is noble? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines noble as famous, notable, of high birth, rank or station, excellent, stately and of a superior nature. So King Solomon says that a man is blessed who obtains a wife such as Ruth was described, noble and kind. She is her husband's crown meaning that her good name is also a reflection upon him. Just as good employees or group is a reflection upon a supervisor. A wife of noble character reflects a husband's good judgement and he is seen as wise. But a disgraceful wife, King Solomon says, ruins a man from the inside. Disgraceful is defined as out of favor, shameful.
As a woman, would you rather bring honor to the man at your side by who you are or ruin him from the inside? As a man, would you rather have a woman who has a reputation as being noble and kind who you can display as your beautiful crown or one you are ashamed of?
4A wife of noble character is her husband's crown but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
The wise King Solomon even gave wisdom on the type of wife a man ought to take. Ruth is described as a woman of noble character. She was one who worked hard in the field and had a good reputation with the townsmen as Boaz pointed out in Ruth 3:11. Ruth wasn't just looking for a handout. She honestly wanted to work to support herself and Noami, the woman who looked after her after her first husband's passing. Ruth was kind. She received favor and double portion because she was faithful in her work and her kindness of caring for Naomi though she herself was not of Naomi's blood. What is noble? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines noble as famous, notable, of high birth, rank or station, excellent, stately and of a superior nature. So King Solomon says that a man is blessed who obtains a wife such as Ruth was described, noble and kind. She is her husband's crown meaning that her good name is also a reflection upon him. Just as good employees or group is a reflection upon a supervisor. A wife of noble character reflects a husband's good judgement and he is seen as wise. But a disgraceful wife, King Solomon says, ruins a man from the inside. Disgraceful is defined as out of favor, shameful.
As a woman, would you rather bring honor to the man at your side by who you are or ruin him from the inside? As a man, would you rather have a woman who has a reputation as being noble and kind who you can display as your beautiful crown or one you are ashamed of?
Monday, March 18, 2013
Spiritual Fog
Matthew 9:4
4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
Jesus had gone into Capernaum where some men had brought a friend who was a paralytic on a mat. Jesus immediately looked at the man and told him his sins were forgiven. There were teachers of the law present and they believed Jesus to be blaspheming. In their minds, no one had the ability to forgive sins but God. Unfortunately, they refused to see that they were in the company of the Son of God. Jesus, who was spirit and existed with God when the world was created, had every right to forgive sins. But again, the teachers of the law had no idea who they were in the company of. Jesus continued to show the power He had been entrusted with by our heavenly Father. How so? He revealed that he knew their thoughts. Jesus clearly displayed the power and authority He possessed by forgiving sins, revealing thoughts and then telling the paralytic to walk and he did. Now if someone pronounced what you were thinking without you opening your mouth should that not be enough? But then to see a man get up and walk who just minutes before was bedridden is indeed a miracle. To deny that one witnessed a miracle is denying God and who He is.
Have you ever denied God's power and authority? Has the Lord ever showed you a miracle yet as the teachers of the law you attempted to explain away, reason away and flat out question it? What you may not realize is that everyone at one point in time has questioned God's ability whether it was through frank unbelief or even doubt because you could not see your way clear of a situation. Many of us have not been that far off from those teachers of the law or may even be still there. You can be in the presence of the Holy One yet still suffer from unbelief due to spiritual fog. Whatever fog you may be in, may be it made clear to you by the power and authority of Jesus Christ
P.S. Remember to check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Show on www.leapoffaithshow.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
Jesus had gone into Capernaum where some men had brought a friend who was a paralytic on a mat. Jesus immediately looked at the man and told him his sins were forgiven. There were teachers of the law present and they believed Jesus to be blaspheming. In their minds, no one had the ability to forgive sins but God. Unfortunately, they refused to see that they were in the company of the Son of God. Jesus, who was spirit and existed with God when the world was created, had every right to forgive sins. But again, the teachers of the law had no idea who they were in the company of. Jesus continued to show the power He had been entrusted with by our heavenly Father. How so? He revealed that he knew their thoughts. Jesus clearly displayed the power and authority He possessed by forgiving sins, revealing thoughts and then telling the paralytic to walk and he did. Now if someone pronounced what you were thinking without you opening your mouth should that not be enough? But then to see a man get up and walk who just minutes before was bedridden is indeed a miracle. To deny that one witnessed a miracle is denying God and who He is.
Have you ever denied God's power and authority? Has the Lord ever showed you a miracle yet as the teachers of the law you attempted to explain away, reason away and flat out question it? What you may not realize is that everyone at one point in time has questioned God's ability whether it was through frank unbelief or even doubt because you could not see your way clear of a situation. Many of us have not been that far off from those teachers of the law or may even be still there. You can be in the presence of the Holy One yet still suffer from unbelief due to spiritual fog. Whatever fog you may be in, may be it made clear to you by the power and authority of Jesus Christ
P.S. Remember to check out my girl Stubbs on the Leap of Faith Show on www.leapoffaithshow.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Until It's Time to Say Goodbye
Good Morning Everyone,
Today's message is not your typical message. Today is a day for me to share my heart with you. Tomorrow it will be eight years since my loving stepdad went home to be with Jesus. My friends knew him as a very mild-mannered guy who smiled and loved to cook and was as supportive to me as the children who came from his loins. Neighbors knew him as a man who would smile and say hello. And if you asked him for help, he would give it without so much as a thought. There was a surprise. He had worked for a well known company in our area for nearly 30years. He had been in multiple divisions throughout his career so he met many people. We didn't know how much he was respected there til it was time to say goodbye. Many of his fellow co-workers, supervisors, etc came to pay their respects. It was then that I realized he made an impact to more than just his family. He made an impact for being a nice guy who liked to laugh and smile but wasn't afraid to say what he needed to when he needed to. He was a man who showed the love of Jesus by how he treated others. It was on the job that he collapsed and lay in a coma for a week. I had a moment this week which is normal. Because as I was getting on the train line that he used to drive, I remember how I couldn't ride that line for the first six months after he passed without shedding tears. If he saw me on the platform he would call my name. There were times when I rode one of the trains he operated and would hear his voice on the intercom. So I was grateful for taking a job in another city so I didn't have to be reminded. But it also occurred to me that he was once a business owner. He knew the value of not only working for someone else but for working for himself. He had done so much in his life. But making a positive impact on myself and others through love was one of the greatest gifts he gave and the best memory I will ever have of him. I'm still learning from him even after his passing.
I miss him very much. And as I write this with tears, I will say that losing a parent, the pain never goes away, it just gets a little easier with time. I am so grateful that God allowed me to see the impact he made on others. Sometimes you just don't know until it's time to say goodbye.
Today's message is not your typical message. Today is a day for me to share my heart with you. Tomorrow it will be eight years since my loving stepdad went home to be with Jesus. My friends knew him as a very mild-mannered guy who smiled and loved to cook and was as supportive to me as the children who came from his loins. Neighbors knew him as a man who would smile and say hello. And if you asked him for help, he would give it without so much as a thought. There was a surprise. He had worked for a well known company in our area for nearly 30years. He had been in multiple divisions throughout his career so he met many people. We didn't know how much he was respected there til it was time to say goodbye. Many of his fellow co-workers, supervisors, etc came to pay their respects. It was then that I realized he made an impact to more than just his family. He made an impact for being a nice guy who liked to laugh and smile but wasn't afraid to say what he needed to when he needed to. He was a man who showed the love of Jesus by how he treated others. It was on the job that he collapsed and lay in a coma for a week. I had a moment this week which is normal. Because as I was getting on the train line that he used to drive, I remember how I couldn't ride that line for the first six months after he passed without shedding tears. If he saw me on the platform he would call my name. There were times when I rode one of the trains he operated and would hear his voice on the intercom. So I was grateful for taking a job in another city so I didn't have to be reminded. But it also occurred to me that he was once a business owner. He knew the value of not only working for someone else but for working for himself. He had done so much in his life. But making a positive impact on myself and others through love was one of the greatest gifts he gave and the best memory I will ever have of him. I'm still learning from him even after his passing.
I miss him very much. And as I write this with tears, I will say that losing a parent, the pain never goes away, it just gets a little easier with time. I am so grateful that God allowed me to see the impact he made on others. Sometimes you just don't know until it's time to say goodbye.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Seeking God for the Task
2Chronicles 34:3
3In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.
King Josiah was only eight years old when he became king. Can you imagine being eight years old and ruling a kingdom? Most eight year old children are still learning to manage themselves. The word says he reigned for 31 years. So he reigned until he was 39 years old. His immediate predecessor, his father Amon, only ruled for 2 years. Josiah was not like his immediate father but in his bloodline was the great King David. So early in his life, like David, he sought God. The word says he did not turn aside to the right or the left meaning he continued on the path that God directed him. By seeking God, Josiah cleaned up the kingdom from the not so wise ruling of some of his predecessors. What is so amazing about King Josiah? He knew that what was before was too great of a task to do all his own and sought the one who could guide him like his forefather David. It was God that led Josiah to greatness and a long reign.
What has God entrusted to you? No matter what your age, where has He given you dominion? Are you like Josiah and seeking God for your great task? What will be said about your reign? Will it be that you stayed on the path? Will you help God put things back in order according to His plan?
3In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.
King Josiah was only eight years old when he became king. Can you imagine being eight years old and ruling a kingdom? Most eight year old children are still learning to manage themselves. The word says he reigned for 31 years. So he reigned until he was 39 years old. His immediate predecessor, his father Amon, only ruled for 2 years. Josiah was not like his immediate father but in his bloodline was the great King David. So early in his life, like David, he sought God. The word says he did not turn aside to the right or the left meaning he continued on the path that God directed him. By seeking God, Josiah cleaned up the kingdom from the not so wise ruling of some of his predecessors. What is so amazing about King Josiah? He knew that what was before was too great of a task to do all his own and sought the one who could guide him like his forefather David. It was God that led Josiah to greatness and a long reign.
What has God entrusted to you? No matter what your age, where has He given you dominion? Are you like Josiah and seeking God for your great task? What will be said about your reign? Will it be that you stayed on the path? Will you help God put things back in order according to His plan?
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Sifted
Matthew 4:25
25Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Jesus had just started His public ministry in Galilee where He also picked the first disciples. As Jesus began healing the sick many followed Him. But as the NIV Study Bible states, not all following Him were true disciples. It says some were just curious and as events occurred, this was revealed. This is still true. Everyone who says they are followers of Christ may be revealed as curious onlookers when a situation takes places that requires them to put their faith where their mouth is. The word faith is over used just like many other words in the English language. But to really believe and follow Jesus may mean having a difficult trial or facing an unpleasant experience just so He can bring you out and show that He is the Lord of lords and King of kings. Will you be angry with Jesus then? Will you still follow Him then or will you be sifted?
And what about those who follow you? Do you know that some may be curious onlookers? God will reveal those who may claim to be true by using certain events. Pray for them as Jesus did and keep moving. Whatever God has assigned you to must be completed as not everyone has the same assignment. You do not have time to be distracted by curious onlookers, they will be sifted out in due time. Jesus didn't worry about them. He didn't even worry about the ones who tried countless times to harm Him.
P.S. Remember to check out my girl Stubbs of the Leap of Faith Show Mon-Fri 10am-12pm on www.leapoffaithshow.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
25Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Jesus had just started His public ministry in Galilee where He also picked the first disciples. As Jesus began healing the sick many followed Him. But as the NIV Study Bible states, not all following Him were true disciples. It says some were just curious and as events occurred, this was revealed. This is still true. Everyone who says they are followers of Christ may be revealed as curious onlookers when a situation takes places that requires them to put their faith where their mouth is. The word faith is over used just like many other words in the English language. But to really believe and follow Jesus may mean having a difficult trial or facing an unpleasant experience just so He can bring you out and show that He is the Lord of lords and King of kings. Will you be angry with Jesus then? Will you still follow Him then or will you be sifted?
And what about those who follow you? Do you know that some may be curious onlookers? God will reveal those who may claim to be true by using certain events. Pray for them as Jesus did and keep moving. Whatever God has assigned you to must be completed as not everyone has the same assignment. You do not have time to be distracted by curious onlookers, they will be sifted out in due time. Jesus didn't worry about them. He didn't even worry about the ones who tried countless times to harm Him.
P.S. Remember to check out my girl Stubbs of the Leap of Faith Show Mon-Fri 10am-12pm on www.leapoffaithshow.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Watch Your Crops
Proverbs 12:14
14From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
The wise King Solomon notes that our words carry a lot of weight. Our words carry as much weight as do what we put our hands to. And why not? Did not God speak a word and the world was created? And you and I are made in the image of God. Therefore, He has given us power in our words. And that is why you cannot accept everything spoken over you and about you unless it is of God. What you speak is in your heart, including what you speak about you. So if you speak good things about yourself and where you are going, as the NIV Bible states, it's just like the farmer who plants and then reaps the harvest. So if you speak from your heart the plans of faith, positivity, so you will reap them. If you speak nothing but faithless words and negativity, so you will reap them as well. When you speak words of faith and positivity over yourself, you can essentially turn those words into action and God will reward you for it. If your heart has planned nothing but destruction and you speak it, essentially you will turn that into action and so God will allow you to reap the consequences of that as well. So indeed you have a choice. Be filled with good things, speak good things and put your hands to good things and watch God grow your crops. Or you can be filled with negative things, speak negative things and put your hands to them and watch your crops die. The choice is yours.
P.S. Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on Mondays and Saturdays on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
14From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
The wise King Solomon notes that our words carry a lot of weight. Our words carry as much weight as do what we put our hands to. And why not? Did not God speak a word and the world was created? And you and I are made in the image of God. Therefore, He has given us power in our words. And that is why you cannot accept everything spoken over you and about you unless it is of God. What you speak is in your heart, including what you speak about you. So if you speak good things about yourself and where you are going, as the NIV Bible states, it's just like the farmer who plants and then reaps the harvest. So if you speak from your heart the plans of faith, positivity, so you will reap them. If you speak nothing but faithless words and negativity, so you will reap them as well. When you speak words of faith and positivity over yourself, you can essentially turn those words into action and God will reward you for it. If your heart has planned nothing but destruction and you speak it, essentially you will turn that into action and so God will allow you to reap the consequences of that as well. So indeed you have a choice. Be filled with good things, speak good things and put your hands to good things and watch God grow your crops. Or you can be filled with negative things, speak negative things and put your hands to them and watch your crops die. The choice is yours.
P.S. Remember to check out my man V of the Artist to Artist Show on Mondays and Saturdays on www.Qliveone.com and listen for the Get Your JOY In The Morning segment!
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