Diversity of Gifts

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4 NKJV)

There are many gifts that come from God.  We are given the gift of life, our very existence on this earth.  The beautiful and diverse creation that surrounds us is a present wrapped in wonder and wildness.  Our individual circumstances, our creative talents, and our unique personalities are all gifts from the hand of God.  There is the gift of salvation that is offered freely through Jesus Christ and the gift of the written word of God that speaks straight to our hearts.  God offeres spiritual gifts for those who seek them, as well.

Do you appreciate the gifts that God has given you?  Your gift to God is accepting and using the gifts He gave you.  You show your appreciation of your God-given gifts by learning about them and understanding that they are His good plan for you.  Then you develop them to the best of your ability.  As you use your gifts and serve others, you can enter into a new joy and discover the fullness of God's plans for your life.

Each moment is a gift if you have the eyes to see and the heart to appreciate it.  The perfect gift is the present, the here and now.  The past is history and the future is a mystery.  You do not know what will happen tomorrow and you cannot change what happened in the past, but this moment offers the gift of choosing what you will do right now.  Will you accept the present with gratitude and appreciation?

The Key to Success

Noah did everything just as God commanded him Genesis 6:22 (NIV)

Everyone has a calling, a purpose for which they were born.  1 Corinthians 7:17 lets us know, “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him” (ESV).  Everyone has a calling.  The question now - is everyone succeeding in it?

God called Noah to do a specific job.  With the entire population about to be wiped out, God assigned Noah to build a big boat that would not only save Noah’s life but also the lives of others.  The only obstacle was that Noah had no idea how to build one.  So he needed instructions.  This is similar to when we start a career or begin a hobby.  In order to succeed, we take classes, read books or become an apprentice to an expert.  When God calls us, he doesn’t just leave us in the dark, He gives us instructions, guidance and clarity to succeed in whatever He has called us to do.  The key to our success is to do exactly what God has instructed us to do.  The Bible lets us know that Noah did everything God commanded him and he was successful.  He didn’t argue with God.  He didn’t take short cuts.  He didn’t assume anything or attempt to complete the task on his own.

Today, ask God to show you how to succeed in your calling.  Ask Him for wisdom and understanding, which He will give most generously.

Walk on WISDOM

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7 NIV)

Today is a day that I have to sit and think about my life.  I cannot go any further than where I am.  I’m at the fork in the road, where am I going; what should I do?  Is my life headed in the right direction?  Have you ever been in a place where you had to make a tough decision? What did you do? Did you use wisdom?

           

 The bible declares fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7b).  In order for us to walk and operate in wisdom, we have to discern the difference between what is wisdom and what is foolish.  For a while I over looked the simplicity of this text, within it God reveals the building blocks to a life of wisdom.  Proverbs 1:7a declares the fear (reverence or honor) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.  Within the existence of the one true God encompasses everything He is, to include His word, therefore a genuine reverence for God is a genuine reverence for everything He is and stands for to include His word.  At the core of His holy word is wisdom.  If we are going to be able to make the tough decisions, we must be enabled with the ability to operate in wisdom and that only comes by reverencing the one true God.  Today before you move forward, examine your next step, is your reverence for God or is simply for you?  Build a bridge of reverence and you build something to walk on.

Fearless Living

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

Not too long ago, a home security salesman stopped by my home.  He offered a free estimate and to explain all the benefits of having a security system.  He went over the best place for a motion detector, the doors and windows that were ideal to install contacts, the functionality of the keypad and the features one could perform right from their smart phone – if they had one.  Now, in between each demonstration, he had an alarming statistic pertaining to home invasions to share, which gave me cause to think.  Since he was attempting to play up the fear factory so much, I wanted to know what it was he was hiding.  Through a series of questions, I discovered it was the extremely high monitoring cost and a required five year contract.

Fearless living is not reckless living.  Fearless living is simply not allowing fear to control our decisions, actions or responses.  In order to live a fearless life, we must completely surrender to God, who gives us a spirit of power, love and sound mind.  When you start feeling fearful or if someone is attempting to frighten you – ask this question, "What is this fear attempting to distract me from?"  Is it the love of God?  Is it God's faithfulness to fulfill his promises?  Or is it a security company's outrageous monthly monitoring prices?

Today live no longer a fearful life but a fearless life.  Also ask God to help you love more.  1 John 4:18 reveals there is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear… (NIV)

Contentment

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (Psalm 103:2 NKJV)

Do you see the glass as half full or half empty.  A contented person knows that the glass is half full, of course.  Contentment is not the same as happiness.  Happiness depends on circumstances, goals achieved, gifts given and things going our way.  Contentment takes the more common path, focusing on what you already have instead of trying to get what you want.

Contentment is a matter of attitude.  Contended attitudes come from appreciating the small, commonplace things of life, things that you may often take for granted.  You may or may not have happy circumstances, but you have the choice to be constantly contented or constantly dissatisfied with your life.

Cultivate contentment by living in the present.  Enjoy the everyday gifts with a child’s sense of wonder.  Savor the scents and smells and sounds and textures of your life.  Breathe in the scent of a blessed life.  Listen to the sigh of the wind, the chatter of morning birdsongs.  In other words as they say “stop and smell the coffee” or the cappuccino or whatever you enjoy.  Find contentment in the small things of every day.  Make time for leisured contentment.  Go for a walk or drive or bicycle.  Cultivate your relationships.  Celebrate beauty and goodness wherever you find it.  Cultivating a contented attitude of gratitude and appreciation can help you cope with difficult situations and develop the ability to see silver linings in dark clouds and rainbows in rain.  Choose contentment and reap its gentle rewards.

Each One, Reach One, Teach One

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road – the desert road – that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” Acts 8:26

In our society, it seems success is often based on quantity instead of quality?  Funerals and weddings are great examples of this.  Whether the people add true value to the event, sheer numbers seem to tell a story of the dearly departed or the soon to be wed.   In the Kingdom of God, the measure of success is certainly different.  Quality is far more important than quantity.  It doesn’t matter if one person comes to accept Christ or thousands – the result is still the same – success!  Luke 15:10 tell us that the angels of God even rejoice over one sinner who repents.

With this in mind, it doesn’t seem odd for the angel of the Lord to instruct Philip to leave where he was, to travel down to Gaza.  Now Philip was currently conducting what we would consider a revival meeting.  Many people were getting saved, delivered and healed.  In the midst of the many successes, Philip was led to leave and go south to Gaza.  There, he ministered Christ to one individual – an Ethiopian eunuch - and then baptized him.  It is important to note that Philip was able to previous reach many and then later to reach one because of his obedience to God.  He was obedient and ministered to the one as he had to the many.

Today let us ask God to lead us.  If He leads us to many, let us teach the many, if to the one – teach the one with the same joy and fervor as with the many.

You Find What You Look For

You Find What You Look For

He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, but trouble will come to him who seeks evil (Proverbs 11:27 NKJV).

Life has its ups and downs.  We love the up times, but oh, how we hate the down times.  After many disappointments and difficult times, it’s sometimes hard to believe for the best.  We become cynical and jaded, ashamed to be vulnerable and childlike, afraid that our hopes and dreams are foolish in the “real world” that often seems to reward cold calculation.  Yet when we close our hearts to optimism and faith, we close the door on making our dreams come true in this world.  By choosing an optimistic attitude, however, we open ourselves to the possibility that God can turn our negative situations into something positive.

You can choose to be optimistic. Optimism is a learned attitude of faith.  Faith is a choice, not an argument.  It is an inner conviction, an unshakable assurance.  You make a decision to choose optimism, choosing to believe that God will truly work all things together for good.

Focusing on the negative in any situation is counterproductive.  You concentrate on what’s wrong, and soon that’s the only thing you can see.  Positive thoughts help us make positive choices.  Choose to replace negative patterns with positive, empowering thoughts.  Learn to look for the silver lining in the dark clouds of your life.  Expect God to bring good or to bring good out of a bad situation.  See the glass as half-full instead of as half-empty.  Wash the windows of your soul by asking God to cleanse your thoughts every day, replacing negative defeatist thoughts with positive affirmations of faith and hope.

Get Understanding

Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all they getting get understanding Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)

Not too long ago, I was checking out of a general store, and handed the cashier a twenty-dollar bill to cover the cost of my items.  The cashier accidently typed twenty-cents instead.  She attempted to calculate the change herself but handed me an incorrect amount.  I then corrected her and wanted to explain, but realized - when she handed me the rest of the money I was owed - she simply wanted to move on to the next customer.

From her standpoint, that was a wise move.  The line was backed up, she needed to get it flowing again.  So she simply gave me the money and focused on her next customer.  However, she did not take the time to gain understaning.  So when or if this happens again, she would not shortchange her customer or the customer would not convince her to give him or her more than what is due.

So what is wisdom anyway?  Wisdom is the power of right judgement - the ability to choose the correct solution for any situation.  What is understanding?  Understanding is the capacity to apprehend the actual faults or merits of a thing - to grasp a situation for what it actually is.  Therefore, when we have understanding (comprehension of the real issue), we can then apply correct wisdom (the solution to the problem).

Today let us seek not only wisdom but also understanding.  James 1:5 lets us know if we lack wisdom, we need only to ask God, and He will give us wisdom.  Let us ask God for wisdom today, and with all the wisdom we get - let us also get understanding.

Where is God

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9 NIV)

What do you do when you don’t see God; when you can’t hear Him; when you can’t feel Him?  Have you ever been in a place where you searched for God and couldn’t find Him?  I mean you looked high and low and you just couldn’t find Him?  Why is it when I feel like I really need God, He is nowhere to be found? Does this sound familiar?  

When you can’t sense God near you, can you believe He is still there? 

We often rely very much on our senses (what I see; how I feel; and what I hear) to be the primary influence on our decisions.  To the natural eye there is nothing wrong with this, the problem is God operates by His word, not our senses.  God gave us a genuine promise saying” I will never leave you nor forsake you.” If I completely rely on my senses, depending on what’s going on I can completely miss God.  Our ability to keep Him before us, is a byproduct of us meditating on His word.  Allowing His word to always be at the forefront of our mind will keep Him with you everywhere you go.

Today as you go throughout your day, remember, God is faithful and despite what you may experience, God is with you, He is with you wherever you go. 

Pay ATTENTION on the Road!

“Ponder the path of your feet and let your ways be established” (Proverbs 4:26 NKJV). 

I've grown to learn the importance of focusing on the road of my life.  Where am I going, what directions do I need to follow, what should I do?  If I don’t take my life’s journey seriously no one else will do it for me.  There are many hazards on the road of life, how do I adjust and keep moving in the right direction?  Many of us drive our life the same way we drive our cars.  We ride the roads, but we don’t realize that whatever captures our focus establishes our course of direction.

When I’m focused on the road I see everything I’m suppose to see, I see the stop sign, the red light, the car jumping in my lane, and despite the obstacles, I’m able to maintain my course, because I’m focused on my course. But if I look down and focus on my phone it is impossible to see everything I’m supposed to see on the road. Even though I'm still driving, the moment I began to focus on my phone, I redirected my course of direction to a place of potential destruction.  

The enemy would love to steal our focus because he knows, if he succeeds in doing so, we allow him to alter our direction leading us down a road called destruction. He has plenty of distractions up his sleeve, so pay attention.  Paying attention buys your focus, but distractions can steal your attention and use it to buy another focus.  Guard your attention and protect your focus. Today's the question is very simple, you woke up, you have your plan, but did you buy your focus?  Pay attention!!

Letting Go

Letting Go

My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. (Psalm 62:5 NKJV)

Place a small rock in the open palm of your hand. Now clench your fist around that rock, holding it tightly, keeping your muscles rigid and tense.  How long can you hold this position comfortably?  Notice how quickly your hand tires.  Now open your hand again, allowing the rock to lie comfortably in the center of your open palm. Do you think you could hold the rock more comfortably for a longer period of time in this position?

Our bodies illustrate spiritual lessons.  How often have you clutched your life in a clenched fist, fighting the natural forces, trying to control and confine life within the small boundaries of your fears and expectations?  It is as uncomfortable for the human heart to be clenched and closed as it is for the human hand.  We were meant for openness, movement, and freedom.

Grace is a gift that God gives to an open hand.  If your hand is closed, you have no room to receive the surprise packages of life and love that God offers.  Unclench your fist.  Instead of trying to second guess, judge or control your life, allow God to surprise you with new insight and greater expectations.  Let go of your rigid opinions and limited expectations.  Open your heart and hand to receive God’s gift of grace, freedom and delight.

The Love of God

The Love of God

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

This scripture is a very familiar passage of scripture to many and you may have read, studied or meditated on the passage yourself.  What does the scripture mean to you?  What does it mean to you that "God Gave?"  Is your frame of reference of God's giving equivalent of a friend's gift or does it go much deeper than that?  It should go much deeper to a love that is inconceivable.  A love so wide and with so much depth that it is unable to be embraced with our natural mind.  It is a love that is supernatural .  Think about it...... would anyone in their right mind give up their child to suffer or die in order for others to live that you did not know or love?  Probably not.

But God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever (you can write your name in here) believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  Notice that with the word believe is the preposition in which means to believe in Christ.  That is, we trust Him as the One who bore the penalty for our sins.  This is a personal thing.  We must each believe He died in our stand. My Friend, you must believe that He died for us.

 

The Source of Anger

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)

In his 1902 writing As a Man Thinketh, James Allen wrote, “Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.”  If understood, this quote could change the way we view anger.  That is, the circumstances in our lives and the people around us do not create the anger or rage that is within us; instead, they reveal what is already there.  Therefore we can no longer blame others or the circumstances in our lives for our hostile responses or nasty outbursts.

It is common, however, for us to do exactly that – to blame others, whether a spouse, a boss, a client, a child, or even God Himself.  We usually do this by essentially saying if they had not done this, we would not be so angry.  The truth of the matter is that they are not the source of our anger.  Usually the source stems from failed expectations, frustrations or fears.  As I think over my life, I can see one of these three things being the true source of my anger.  Unfortunately for the people who were around me at those times, I did not realize this then, else my responses would have been different – as they are now.  For example, my sister made a comment.  A few years ago, my response would have been negative.  But now, because I understand who I am and why her comment caused me to feel a certain way, the conversation did not take a turn for the worse.  Instead I remained calm, and we were able to talk our way through it.

Today - if you are angry - pray that God reveal the source of your anger.  Ask Him to heal and help you take responsibility for fears, failures or frustrations that has caused you to response negatively to yourself, others or even to Him.

Impulse

A true leader is defined as an individual who has the ability to influence another individual to follow them, and although we would love for every leader to reflect the image of Christ, the sad reality is leaders are not define by their character, but rather their influence.  Despite how evil Hitler was, by definition, he was a great leader, very influential.  Despite how much of a liar we know the enemy is, by definition, he is a great leader, so much so the bible calls him the god of this world.  If we are going to successfully combat the enemy and obtain the victory that we all have been predestined to achieve, we must know one his most valuable tactics.  One of his most valuable tactics is to expose our greatest weakness:  our emotions.  The enemy understands if he can tap into our emotions, he can tap into our passion and at the climax of our passion we risk giving birth to an impulsive decision. 

  Esau was so passionate about eating, he was willing to give up his birthright for a 10 -15 minute meal.  He made a decision to give up the fruit of his father's life labor to satisfy a momentary appetite (Genesis 25:29-34).  One impulsive decision cost Adam and Eve their life (Genesis 3); one impulsive decision caused Cain to kill Abel (Genesis 4).  Impulse has the ability to blind us leaving us with an inability to see where we are going or even hear what we should do.  Your impulse may be violence, it may be shopping, it may be fornication or even adultery, despite the depth or the simplicity of your impulse, there is a remedy.  The bible say “in all your ways acknowledge Him (God) and He will direct your path”(Proverbs 3:6 NKJV).  Today, I pray that your day will exceed your expectations, remember the enemy would love to do nothing but redirect your steps away from the path God has aligned for your life.  Do not allow your emotions to blind you causing you make an impulsive decision, acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will continue to direct your path.

What Would Jesus Do?

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.  Philippians 2:5 (MSG)

What would Jesus do or WWJD was not only a popular phrase back in the 90’s but it was also a reminder to us Christians as to how we should behave in any given situation.  It was simply a way that gave us time to pause and think before we acted or reacted.  It served to keep us focus, during those moments of pausing – not to think on revengeful acts or evil deeds – but to think on what would Jesus really do.  Paul, the author of the Book of Philippians, is actually saying this very thing.  He tells us, the reader, that we should think the way Christ Jesus thought.

Now, at first reading, you may ask how can we know what Jesus thought?  It is true – if we sat face to face, without talking and without any non-verbal communication – it would be impossible for either one of us to ascertain what the other was actually thinking.  However, Paul is not telling us to be mind readers.  In the original Greek, Paul uses a word that means demonstrative.  Implying that we are to think on what Jesus had already demonstrated for us to do.  Which is?  Jesus demonstrated (meaning, to clearly show the existence or truth of something by giving proof or a practical example of) love, concern and care for others.  He also illustrated perfect obedience and submission to God.

Today let us think about the character and deeds of Christ Jesus, and how we can show the same through our own character and deeds.

Motivating Factors

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought.  As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”  2 Kings 5:20 (NIV)

It is hard to image that someone like Gehazi, who worked for such an anointed man of God like Elisha, and saw the power of God firsthand, would be a person of corrupt motives.  But he was.

It all started when Elisha gave Naaman instructions on how to be healed from leprosy.  As a result of his healing, Naaman wanted to pay Elisha.  However Elisha understood that he was not the one who healed Naaman.  God did.  For Elisha to accept payment was for him to take credit for what God actually did.  Also, for him to accept payment was for him to promote the incorrect believe of Naaman that God's miracles were for sale.  So Elisha refused payment.

Gehazi, on the other hand, seeing his master simply walk away, rationalized within himself as to why he should run after Naaman and get some money for himself.  He lied to Naaman and said that Elisha sent him to get some money.  Then he lied to Elisha not wanting him to know that he had took some of the money for himself.  However true motives and hidden agendas are always revealed.  And when his was, Elisha fired him and God struck him with leprosy.

Today let us pray that God keep our motives pure, and that we do not rationalize ourselves out of the favor and grace of God like Gehazi.

No More Bullying

No More Bullying

Don't be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies.  There is nothing they can do to your soul, your core being .  Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life - body and soul - in His hands (Matthew 10:28 The Message Bible)

Yes, the scriptures does address bullying.  The devil came into the garden as the ultimate bully.  He watched and choose the weaker vessel and began to taunt and entice in the garden.  Although he had no place and no authority he tried to become what he was not.  More often than not bullies seem to have more going on than they actually do.  Most people who bully are insecure and attention getter's because they are missing something in their life. 

As the scripture exhorts us not to be in silence we need to remind ourselves every day.  You have a voice not to be silent anymore.  Go tell a trusted friend, family member, teacher or clergy if you are being bullied.  People you did not expect to turn on you may and stab you in the back and go right on like nothing has every happened.  You must take the "high road" which means rise above the small talk and chatter.  You have more things to do in life.  You are valued by God.  God loves you and wants only what is best for you.

There is nothing anyone can do to your soul.  Regardless of your age God's hand is upon your life.  You were called, and justified before being conceived in your mother's womb.  Live in the overflow of your life and let that spill over into the lives of  others.  If you are a young person, contact a trusted friend or family and share what is happening to you.  Take your power back in Jesus Name,
 

The Anointing at the Appointed Time

So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with the elders of Israel.  And they anointed him king of Israel. 2 Samuel 5:3 (NIV)

Throughout time, God anointed His servants to perform certain tasks.  In many cases, that person had to wait until the appointed time.  Do you remember Abraham?  He was promised a child at 75, yet the appointed time was when he turned 99.  How about Moses?  He was born to lead Israel out of Egyptian captivity, yet the appointed time was when he was 80 years of age.  Even Jesus himself told his mother that His appointed time had not yet come (John 2:4).

David was no exception.  David was a young man when God anointed him to be the next king over Israel.  He however did not become king right away.  Our scripture for today happened at least 10 years after God had anointed him.

It is important for us to know that David’s task was not hidden from him.  He knew exactly what God had called him to do.  He knew he was to be the next king.  It is also equally important for us to understand that David did not attempt to rush God’s timing, which he had ample opportunity to do.  He could have killed King Saul and assumed his rightful place on the thrown.  However it would not have been God’s way or in God’s timing to do so.  Working outside of God’s way and His timing is a sure way of losing His anointing in our lives.

The anointing can be defined as “God on flesh doing those things that flesh cannot do.”  So it is one thing to be called by God to perform a task.  It is another to actually complete it.  Without God’s anointing in us, we can do nothing.  With His anointing, we can do anything.  This is what Paul meant when he said, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Today let us respect the anointing within us and wait patiently on God’s appointed time.  For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie.  Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late. Habakkuk 2:3 (HCS)

How Do I Bear FRUIT?

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

King James Version (John 15:5 KJV)

During a moment of brief reading through John 15; verse 5 caught my attention like it has never done before.  It’s amazing how Christ used the analogy of a fruit tree.  The branches of a fruit tree produce the tangible evidence of what is being formed from within the tree.  The branch has no control, nor does it have to worry about what kind of fruit it is producing.  The assignment of the branch is to remain connected to the vine that resides within the tree and as a result of being connected to the vine; the branch is able to produce the fruit that is being filtered through the vine. 

  As believers in Christ, we put a lot of emphasis on what type of fruit we are or should be producing, that’s not our assignment.  Our main job is to remain connected to Christ and as a result of us remaining connected to Him, we will produce whatever fruit Christ intends for us to produce.  Just as in a fruit tree, because of the vine, the fruit is being formed before it is visible to the eye.  Likewise the fruit within us, because of Christ, is being formed before it is visible to the eye.  Remain in Christ and produce much fruit which is the tangible evidence that proves you are connected to Christ. 

  As you go throughout your day, today, remember we do not have the ability to make our own fruit.  Remain in Christ; take on the mind of Christ; operate in the example of Christ and your will produce the fruit of Christ.

Much love

Don't Miss Out

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!’  Matthew 7:22-23 (NIV)

I used to be a teacher’s assistant while attending college.  The subject matter I used to teach was math.  One day a young lady came into our office.  She had failed her required math course three times, and had to obtain special permission from the Dean of Mathematics in order to take it a fourth and final time.  So you can image how it felt - after hours of me teaching, explaining, reviewing and encouraging - when she actually passed the course, and was able to graduate with an earned Bachelor’s degree.  It felt great! But that feeling would have been short lived if after helping her I myself would not have passed my own courses or not graduated with my own Bachelor’s degree.

There is no denying that the same great feeling of helping that young lady is the same great feeling I now have when using my God-given gifts to edify the people of God.  However, it would be more than heartbreaking – it would be a tragedy – if I helped others to change their lives through the Word of God, but I myself remained the same.  This is want Jesus is telling us in Matthew 7:22-23.  It is not enough to do the works of God.  We must also believe in God ourselves.

Today let us recognize that good works are good but they do not save us.  They do not change, deliver or set us free.  Don’t miss out!  The same instructions we give to others based on God’s Word and inspired by the Holy Spirit is the same instructions and inspiration in which we are to live as well.

Beyond Fear

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)

God gave us the gift of free will. We have the power to choose. We may not have a choice about what happens to us in certain situations, but we can choose how we respond. No matter what we face in life, God enables us to learn and grow from our choices. The scripture states that "God has not given us a spirit of fear". Notice the scripture does not reveal that we would never experience fear. Fear is a real emotion. The focus is on our response to fear. You must live beyond fear. I remember an acronym used for fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. How true is this statement? There is something called perceived fear and that is fear that we can dream up in our mind which eventually attacks our state of being.

Fear comes to paralyze and keep you in a state of immobility. Over and over God says to His people. "Do not fear." God gives us the courage, the power and a sound mind to face our fears and empowers us to make wise decisions. Fear of rejection or of others disapproval often causes us to compromise what we believe. Instead of molding yourself to fit another's mold, you can discover a more balanced and powerful image of what it means to be a man or woman of faith. God promises that He will give you the strength and wisdom you need. You can make courageous choices that will result in positive changes, healthy self-esteem, spiritual stamina and a more fulfilling life. 

 

By Any Means

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NIV)

A peer was invited to a prison to minister the Word of God, with the condition that he would not say the name of Jesus Christ.  You may ask how could one teach the Word of God and not mention the epitome of it.  You may even have understood if he turned it down.  He didn't.  While ministering, he simply said the Son of God instead Jesus Christ.

Another peer was invited to a church to minster the Word of God, with the condition that she preached out of the pulpit.  She was told that women were not allowed to come up on their platform.  You may ask when did this happen, and be shocked to know that it was a few years ago.  You may even have understood if she turned it down.  She didn't.  She preached on the floor just as she would have on the platform.

Both understood and practiced what Paul was teaching us in 1 Corinthians 9:22.  With their integrity still intact, they both disregarded their feelings and any possible offensiveness, in order to win lost souls to Christ.

Today let us focus on reaching out and sharing the Word of God to lost souls - by any way that is possible.  That is, by any means.

Wisdom

Don't fool yourself. Don't think that you can be wise merely by being up to date with the times (1 Corinthians 3:18, Message)

Many people are knowledgeable, but few are wise.  The Bible tells us what wisdom is and isn't.  Mean spirited ambition isn't wisdom.  Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom.  Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom.  Real wisdom, God's wisdom begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others.  Wisdom is the ability to make the right choices at the right time.  So how do you access wisdom for living?  You need wisdom that helps you cope with your work, your family, your friends and even your enemies. 

The greatest wisdom comes from God.  Meditating on His word will bring you wisdom.  Wisdom also comes from experience, as you mature you learn from your experiences.  There are certain things that you did in the past that you know with certainty that you would never expose yourself to again.  Why?  It is called "Wisdom".  We should learn from our mistakes by identifying our weaknesses and then applying wisdom to those areas.  God desires for you to have a relationship with Him in which you can seek wisdom from Him for every issue you need wisdom for.

Pray today for God to give you wisdom and then walk in wisdom and have a victorious day.