Monday, March 25, 2013
Are You Enjoy?
One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend
to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the
horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today. ~ Dale
Carnegie
Scripture:
Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalm 28:6-8
Saints, how many of you are in Joy? Webster’s dictionary defines joy the following way: a state of happiness or felicity; a source or cause of delight; the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.
So again I ask; how many of you are in joy? Are you in a state of Happiness or delight? Do you feel successful and blessed by good fortune? Does the prospect of possessing what you desire bring a smile to your face?
As I have gotten older and wiser, one of the things that I have learned along the way is that to a great extent, we control our own joy. What I mean by that is that whatever mood we set for ourselves is the mood that we will carry with us that day or during that period of time.
So what if you don't have all that you want. God said he would provide all that you need. So what if your marriage didn't work out. God said he would never leave your nor forsake you. So what if your bills are due and you don't have the money to pay them all.
My God said he shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
The joy of the Lord is my strength. God is the joy and the strength of my life. I count it all joy when trials and tribulation come against me for I know that the testing of my faith produces patience. Father, we come before the throne of grace with great joy in our hearts. The kind of joy that can only come from You. The kind of joy that the world can't take away. Lord, even when my life is full of strife and confusion, I can still find joy in my life because of You. I find joy in the simple things. The dawning of a new day, the sun on my face, the song of the birds who awaken me early in the morning. I found joy this morning as I looked down on the sleeping face of my Young son. I find joy in the memory of loved ones who have gone on to glory to be with You. I find joy in the fact that one day, I shall behold Your glorious face. I find my greatest joy in the revelation of Your great love for me. Thank You Lord for this joy that is deep down in my soul. Thank You Lord, for a second chance to rejoice and be glad today, tomorrow, and forever more. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Scripture:
Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalm 28:6-8
Saints, how many of you are in Joy? Webster’s dictionary defines joy the following way: a state of happiness or felicity; a source or cause of delight; the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.
So again I ask; how many of you are in joy? Are you in a state of Happiness or delight? Do you feel successful and blessed by good fortune? Does the prospect of possessing what you desire bring a smile to your face?
As I have gotten older and wiser, one of the things that I have learned along the way is that to a great extent, we control our own joy. What I mean by that is that whatever mood we set for ourselves is the mood that we will carry with us that day or during that period of time.
So what if you don't have all that you want. God said he would provide all that you need. So what if your marriage didn't work out. God said he would never leave your nor forsake you. So what if your bills are due and you don't have the money to pay them all.
My God said he shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
The joy of the Lord is my strength. God is the joy and the strength of my life. I count it all joy when trials and tribulation come against me for I know that the testing of my faith produces patience. Father, we come before the throne of grace with great joy in our hearts. The kind of joy that can only come from You. The kind of joy that the world can't take away. Lord, even when my life is full of strife and confusion, I can still find joy in my life because of You. I find joy in the simple things. The dawning of a new day, the sun on my face, the song of the birds who awaken me early in the morning. I found joy this morning as I looked down on the sleeping face of my Young son. I find joy in the memory of loved ones who have gone on to glory to be with You. I find joy in the fact that one day, I shall behold Your glorious face. I find my greatest joy in the revelation of Your great love for me. Thank You Lord for this joy that is deep down in my soul. Thank You Lord, for a second chance to rejoice and be glad today, tomorrow, and forever more. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
What Are You Planting In Your Garden?
The garden is a mirror of the heart. ~ Unknown
Scripture:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. John 15:1
Saints, whether you realize it or not, spring is here. As we turn our thoughts towards spring, we start thinking about our yards and our gardens. Many of you have probably already started thinking about what type of seeds you will be planting this year. Some may choose to plant only flowers. Others may choose to plant only vegetable and some still will plant both.
As I reflect back to biblical times, I have noticed that the garden was very important to all. You see the lands in which they resided where often barren and would sometimes lack water. So they had to be very diligent in what they grew because they knew their very lives depended on their crops. Unlike us, if their gardens failed, they couldn’t just run out to the corner store to get something for dinner.
The same holds true today in our own gardens. What you decide to plant has a distinct bearing on your well-being. You see, I am not talking about your flower garden or your vegetable garden. I am talking about your spiritual garden. Whatever a man soweth, so shall he reap. What seeds are being planted in your spiritual garden? I pray that you plant seeds of love, seeds of hope, seeds of forgiveness, but most of all, seeds of faith.
You see, when we start our gardens at just the right time, give them the love, care, nurturing, and attention that all gardens need, we can grow a bountiful crop that can and will last until our next planting season.
Be blessed
Prayer:
Oh kind and gracious and merciful Father, we come this day as humbly as we know how. We lift up our eyes unto the heavens from which all of our blessings flow. Father, we know that we are not worthy of fresh grace, but You give it to us anyway. We know that somewhere along the way we have sinned, but You forgave us anyway. We know that sometimes we disappoint You, but You love us anyway. Thank You Father that You love and forgive me despite me. Father we come standing in the gap for our fellow saints, for our family members, and for our friends. So many need so much, but we know that there is nothing too hard for God. Continue to touch, bless, anoint and heal those saints among us who are afflicted. Keep us all just a little closer to You this day and give us the wisdom to choose the right seeds for our gardens. Now Lord we pause to praise You. We give thanks to You this day, we magnify and uplift Your most holy name. We ask and pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Scripture:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. John 15:1
Saints, whether you realize it or not, spring is here. As we turn our thoughts towards spring, we start thinking about our yards and our gardens. Many of you have probably already started thinking about what type of seeds you will be planting this year. Some may choose to plant only flowers. Others may choose to plant only vegetable and some still will plant both.
As I reflect back to biblical times, I have noticed that the garden was very important to all. You see the lands in which they resided where often barren and would sometimes lack water. So they had to be very diligent in what they grew because they knew their very lives depended on their crops. Unlike us, if their gardens failed, they couldn’t just run out to the corner store to get something for dinner.
The same holds true today in our own gardens. What you decide to plant has a distinct bearing on your well-being. You see, I am not talking about your flower garden or your vegetable garden. I am talking about your spiritual garden. Whatever a man soweth, so shall he reap. What seeds are being planted in your spiritual garden? I pray that you plant seeds of love, seeds of hope, seeds of forgiveness, but most of all, seeds of faith.
You see, when we start our gardens at just the right time, give them the love, care, nurturing, and attention that all gardens need, we can grow a bountiful crop that can and will last until our next planting season.
Be blessed
Prayer:
Oh kind and gracious and merciful Father, we come this day as humbly as we know how. We lift up our eyes unto the heavens from which all of our blessings flow. Father, we know that we are not worthy of fresh grace, but You give it to us anyway. We know that somewhere along the way we have sinned, but You forgave us anyway. We know that sometimes we disappoint You, but You love us anyway. Thank You Father that You love and forgive me despite me. Father we come standing in the gap for our fellow saints, for our family members, and for our friends. So many need so much, but we know that there is nothing too hard for God. Continue to touch, bless, anoint and heal those saints among us who are afflicted. Keep us all just a little closer to You this day and give us the wisdom to choose the right seeds for our gardens. Now Lord we pause to praise You. We give thanks to You this day, we magnify and uplift Your most holy name. We ask and pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Waiting On My Miracle
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties
disappear and obstacles vanish. ~ John Quincy Adams
Scripture:
We have sinned, even as our fathers did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly. When our fathers were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known. Psalm 106:6-8 (New International Version)
When I was a child, I believed in miracles. I believed that anything could happen and it usually did. I saw them all the time. I experienced the perfect day, the joy and laughter of playing with family and friends. I knew the comfort and love that comes from being around those who cared and about and for me. Now, I often wonder; what happened? When did I stop believing that dreams really do come true?
I now realize that they went away when I grew up. My vision became tainted by all the bad things I saw and as the trust I had in those around me become battered and broken. Even today, it amazes me how innocent the world through the eyes of a child can be. The stages of life have a way of tarnishing our vision.
I can only imagine how painful it must have been for our forbearers, Adam and Eve to realize that because of deceit and curiosity, they too had lost that childlike innocence. I’m not sure if they too gave up on believing in miracles as the world around them became tainted by the things they now saw and had to endure.
It wasn’t until I grew older and developed a relationship with Christ Jesus that I began to realize that even though the world around me had changed, there was still hope. Hope in Christ Jesus. Now the only difference was that instead of miracles happening around me every day, I had to learn to be patient and to persevere in my well doing.
The Lord, our Father has told us time and time again, that this is not his world. Satan has made sure of that. However, for those of us who still believe in the power of faith, miracles can and will still happen. If you can believe it, you can receive it. Your Miracle is on the way.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, we come before the mercy seat asking today for our miracles and breakthroughs. So often we lose sight of the fact that our hope and desires do not lay in the hands of those around us, but rather our hope lies in Christ Jesus. Help us Lord to see You through the eyes of a child. A child who is totally dependant on their Father to provide all things. Father God, we come seeking Your face and depending on You for those miracles that are needed in our lives. Some have lost faith because they were depending on the wrong things. Material things that man provides and not those Godly things that You have already promised us in Your word. Help me Lord, to always look toward the hills of heaven from which cometh my help. It is on Christ the solid rock I stand. It is on Your word that I stand. It is by faith I will walk and it by grace I will be blessed. Thank You Father, for all things. But I thank You most of all for redemption through Your Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is in His name I pray. Amen.
Scripture:
We have sinned, even as our fathers did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly. When our fathers were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known. Psalm 106:6-8 (New International Version)
When I was a child, I believed in miracles. I believed that anything could happen and it usually did. I saw them all the time. I experienced the perfect day, the joy and laughter of playing with family and friends. I knew the comfort and love that comes from being around those who cared and about and for me. Now, I often wonder; what happened? When did I stop believing that dreams really do come true?
I now realize that they went away when I grew up. My vision became tainted by all the bad things I saw and as the trust I had in those around me become battered and broken. Even today, it amazes me how innocent the world through the eyes of a child can be. The stages of life have a way of tarnishing our vision.
I can only imagine how painful it must have been for our forbearers, Adam and Eve to realize that because of deceit and curiosity, they too had lost that childlike innocence. I’m not sure if they too gave up on believing in miracles as the world around them became tainted by the things they now saw and had to endure.
It wasn’t until I grew older and developed a relationship with Christ Jesus that I began to realize that even though the world around me had changed, there was still hope. Hope in Christ Jesus. Now the only difference was that instead of miracles happening around me every day, I had to learn to be patient and to persevere in my well doing.
The Lord, our Father has told us time and time again, that this is not his world. Satan has made sure of that. However, for those of us who still believe in the power of faith, miracles can and will still happen. If you can believe it, you can receive it. Your Miracle is on the way.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, we come before the mercy seat asking today for our miracles and breakthroughs. So often we lose sight of the fact that our hope and desires do not lay in the hands of those around us, but rather our hope lies in Christ Jesus. Help us Lord to see You through the eyes of a child. A child who is totally dependant on their Father to provide all things. Father God, we come seeking Your face and depending on You for those miracles that are needed in our lives. Some have lost faith because they were depending on the wrong things. Material things that man provides and not those Godly things that You have already promised us in Your word. Help me Lord, to always look toward the hills of heaven from which cometh my help. It is on Christ the solid rock I stand. It is on Your word that I stand. It is by faith I will walk and it by grace I will be blessed. Thank You Father, for all things. But I thank You most of all for redemption through Your Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is in His name I pray. Amen.
