What gifts are you neglecting?

It’s easy to lose focus on being productive for God. We are distracted with doing busy work. Things which delay you from birthing your Godly Vision. God has given us all spiritual gifts (Rom12:6). These gifts are to be used to edify God by way of helping others. What God gift are you neglecting? It’s Time to press the restart button. Stop procrastinating and start producing! Nurture your spiritual gifts, so God can use you to bless others. 

Get recharged

Jesus performed many miracles and preached to thousands. Upon completion, Jesus would often go away alone to pray and recharge his Spirit. We too need recharging. Whatever the task, take time to replenish your spirit. Jesus’ daily communication kept him in perfect harmony with God. Prayer provides answers. It provides guidance. If God leads you to the desert, through constant contact with God will lead you to the water and the shade. Daily talk with God. Pray. Seek His will. Get recharged so you are ready to be a blessing for others.

Money and status is worthless, COVID-19 has made us equal

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic life for many was a race to accumulate more money, status, and earthly possessions. Very little effort in a God-directed and God-empowered life. No matter your status, today we are all equal. 

Your money, status, or ethnicity is worthless. COVID-19 has made us all as one. Silver and gold is worthless but you possess the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer. Just as Peter spoke to the lame man (Acts 3:1-9) speak over COVID-19 and any thing that is crippling you. There is power in your tongue! Continue to seek God. Pray for others and the healing of this land. Remember, God is still present even in the chaos. 

Fear begins in the mind

Fear begins in the mind. Things we should  pass to God, we tend to hold on to them. We allow them to linger and grow. Jesus assured us we have peace and not let things trouble our hearts. What are you holding on to? Let go and let God. Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid (John 14:27).

You have a ministry!

Call it would you want, we all have a ministry. Through the world’s secular lens, they are recognized as gifts, talents, and skill sets. However we paint the picture, in God’s eyes it’s our ministry!  With our gift it’s our responsibility to shine light into darkness. Our gifts are tools to help others to see God’s awesomeness! Through our gifts we become a conduit to connect others to God. We were not given talents to hide or for self gratification (Matt 25:14–30). They are to be used according to our ability to help others. The journey will not be easy. We will be pressured mentally, physically, and spiritually, but not crushed. Verbally persecuted but not destroyed. WE have a ministry so don’t lose heart (2 Cor. 4:1). Let your light shine so your gifts may seen. 

Underestimating God’s power

There is something someone has been grappling with for some time.  It could be a job, family issues, lost dreams, or health. Despite your continuous efforts to stay positive, prayed up and in the word, faith’s fire of hope is dimming. Never underestimate the power of God! You may recall when Jesus made wine at the wedding (Jn 2:1-11), where he made the best wine! It takes years to make good wine. Yet Jesus makes the best batch instantaneously.  Whatever you are going through, be it one year or 20 years God can change it instantly. Don’t lose faith. 

You are a leader!

At many junctures in life we are close enough to a situation to relate but far enough ahead to motivate or take charge as a leader. Ironically, most remain silent. Justifying reasons why not to lead. You may not be in charge of an organization or church committee however there are situations where you can step up and take the lead. “Great leaders are those who are willing to give up something to help the little person.” A leader is close enough to a situation to relate and mentally ahead to motivate. A great leader must have faith. Without faith it is impossible to please GodHebrews 11:6. Paul was a prisoner on board a ship. Though he was a prisoner, he took charge and told the guards that their voyage was going to be disastrous. Through out the tedious journey Paul continuously empowered himself as a leader by the guidance of an angel of GodActs27:25-26.  True leadership is about bettering the lives of the people around you. Be encouraged! Stand up today and be the leader that you were called to be!

Letting go of your pain

We all have scars that have memories. They remind us just how we got the scars. Though the pain is gone the scars are reminders of our past. We all have been hurt by family and friends. Most people hold on to the pains of their past never letting go, or never allowing time to heal the pain. Like a sore that tries to heal we constantly pick the past (scab) by talking about it years later, never letting it heal. We keep decade old conflicts fresh. It continuously festers in your spirit causing more pain. Your scars show the healing power of God. Not just natural healing process but it also demonstrates through healing we can and should forgive. The scars should be a reminder for us not to repeat the situation. Old scars should draw us closer to God. Whatever you are holding onto from your past let it heal. Let it go and forgive. Let it be just a scar of your past! 

Starting a faith journey

The reason so many people have trouble accepting or understanding the Bible, they are trying to logically figure it out. God clearly told us his ways and thoughts are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). You start trusting God when you draw near to him (Heb. 11:6). By trusting in His word, you begin the journey walking in faith just as Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses 

(Heb. 11:8-19). When God’s actions don’t make sense continue to trust His word. Regardless of how small their faith was, the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea by faith. Remove your thoughts, trust God’s word because without faith it is impossible to please him. In all things diligently seek God. It only takes one step to start the journey of faith. 

God’s earthly heart

We are God’s earthly heartbeats. As followers of Christ, it’s our duty to love the loveless, encourage the hopeless, and inspire the doubtful. Unfortunately, many of us have flat-lined. We are dead not only to others but towards God. If God did open heart surgery what would he find? Uncaring, selfish, and unlovable people. Many don’t love others let alone themselves. We are agents for Christ. We are evangelist. Evangelism is spreading the gospel by personal and public witness. It’s our duty to testify and speak life in the disheartened. Go be the ‘who’ for God (Isaiah 6:8) with those who are in need of a heart transplant. tell others about God’s goodness (Mark 16:15). We are not the only people deserving of God’s word and goodness. We are commissioned to go to others proclaiming the gospel. Change your heart. Don’t be afraid to share with others who have given up on life, what God has done for you. Let your light shine so they can see the God in you! 

Ask how you can help

Has someone ever told you what they needed? In return you gave them what you thought they needed or dismissed them all together? So often, we stand accused with friends, family, and strangers. We assume we know the needs of others without ever asking. I asked a homeless man what he wanted to eat. Opposed to asking, I assumed I knew his demands. When Jesus encountered the five thousand (Matt.14:15), the begging Canaanite woman (Matt15:23), and Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:47-48), the disciples assumed the best thing for all situations was to send them away opposed to asking or listening to their request. What we often think a person want Its not what they need. In the future, Do as Jesus did. Before responding, he didn’t say a word. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak and direct you as to what you need to do. Just like my homeless man encounter I assumed wrong. Instead of food he replied, "I'd rather have some soap to wash me and my clothes." Stay in-tuned with the Holy Spirit. It will direct your path. 

Waiting on God can be hard

Waiting on God is hard. Many take matters into their own hands or do busy work trying to find an end to no means. 

Sarah couldn’t wait on God’s Promise for a child for Abraham, (Gen. 18:1-15) she took matters into her own hands by telling Abraham to sleep with Hagar (Gen.16:1-16). The hardest part of trusting God is for us to have enough faith to BE STILL and wait on God! When those doubting moments arise, recite: “Father God I trust you.... even though I don't see the end in sight I trust you!” Know that He is God.  Everything will fall in place in due season. 

The key to God’s blessings

In grand scheme of life, we need so little on earth. It’s the things we want which keeps us in trouble. There’s a common message throughout the Bible of God providing land, food, and shelter for his children. He also provides a path to salvation by following his commandments. God’s Divine Power has given us everything we need for a godly life (2Peter 1:3-10). We lose power and effectiveness when we seek desires with disgruntled and entitled hearts. Despite all God’s provisions for 40 years in the wilderness, The children grumbled!  They were never satisfied. The disconnect for many is their Love of money. God said, “keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, ‘I will Never leave you or forsake you’”(Heb. 13:5). One of the keys to God’s blessings is, In all things be anxious for nothing but remember also to always seek the kingdom of God FIRST. By putting God first he can and will give the desires unto you (Matt6:19-34).  Let us be reminded, The Lord is our shepherd we shall lack for nothing (Psalms 23), The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing (Psalms 34:10).

God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Remember to seek him and continuously thank him for everything you have been blessed with! 

what is love?

In the eyes of many you see no love. A distant gaze of pain and sorrow. There are others with eyes blazed like fire. Singed with Anger and ready to attack others. Selfishness, pride, and ego has taken Love’s place in the heart. It has Edged God Out. Paul speaks of Love and how the church [we the people] should practice love. It is patient, kind, enduring and not boastful (1 Cor. 13:4-7). Contrary to the bible’s blueprint, society is angry, mean, selfish and self-centered. It’s about me, myself and I. Why are we afraid to share love? Hard to Love your neighbor as yourself. “Love is so far away. Love is in need of love today.” When love is expressed by its true meaning it bears belief, hope, and endures all things. Love never fails. It conquers all – literally. 

To become more like Christ, practice the “Love Traits.”

• Love: is kind
• Love: does not envy
• Love: is not puffed up
• Love: is not rude
• Love: does not seek its own
• Love: does not rejoice in iniquity

Let’s not just love with vain words. Love with action and truth because love is still so far away.

Jars of faith

You are down to your last two hundred dollars. Your home heading to foreclosure, along with every earthly possession. You receive a prophetic word from God telling you to “collect jars.” Would you do it? Are you bold enough to put your trust in God’s word? Have mustard seed faith that God will provide? Elisha told the widow something far-fetched, “go ask your neighbors for empty jars and don’t ask for just a few.” (2 Kings 4:1-7). This woman had enough faith to believe Elisha and not question the assignment. If there was any doubt or no faith her blessings would have been cut short. You with little faith, what are you doubting? What are your empty jars? What is God calling you to do? Start a business, teach, or preach? Get the jars and do it in the name of Jesus even when it don’t make sense.  God will pour and fill you just as he did for the widow.

Nothing just happens in life

Nothing just happens in life. Ruth experienced a tragic situation, the unexpected loss of wealth, moving to a foreign country then the death of her husband and father-in-law. Enough to change a person’s life and faith forever! (Ruth 1:1-18). We focus on the incomprehensible and then convince ourselves that there is no way to recover. We take it a step further by doubting God. What tragedy have you encountered? Who have you blamed? I can’t reiterate  enough, seek God for everything! It’s during your tragic situations God can do his Greatest work. In your weakness God’s strength is made perfect and his Grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:8-10). By Ruth changing her mindset, God was able to bless and restore everything (Ruth 4). Whatever the situation, remember nothing just happens. Take time to heal, seek God and grow. Allow God to use your tragedies  to be a blessing to yourself as well as others. 

Words are like fire

Harsh words hurt. When sowed in the spirit, they can harvest hatred and anger.  “You are just like your father”, you are dumb, a failure, no good, an idiot.” Words reverberate in the spirit like an echo. The bible tells us the tongue is fire; it is evil and can corrupt the whole body (Jas 3:1-6). Be mindful of the words you speak. Your words can ruin a person for life! In anger, people say damaging expressions. Once spoken the words echo in the recipient’s mind planting seeds of doubt and disbelief. Watch the words that you say. They can be a matter of life or death. 

Do not judge

How quick we judge others based on our beliefs.

We condemn and criticize, before we love or forgive the ‘convicted.’ 

We conveniently forget we are not to judge others, or we will be judged with the same measure used (Matt. 7:1-2). 

We live our lives no different than the Pharisees. We see the ‘speck’ in others eyes but miss the ‘log’ in our own.

The story of the sinful woman (Lk. 7:36-50), depicts how we often become judge, jury, and deity over others and neglect the fact there is something we have done that has fallen short of Pleasing God.

We should show more love to others because through Jesus we have been forgiven! He who has been forgiven little loves little. 

Never take the journey alone

Your life’s journey was not design for you to travel alone. 

Though it is you who has to go the course, surround yourself with those who will help and encourage you along the way. Likewise, seek God. For He can order your steps as well as send Angels to help along the way. 

When we go alone and things don’t go our way, we tend to blame God for the outcome. In all things seek God’s will. Seek his guidance. Never take the Journey alone. 

Don’t Forget God

Why are people so ungrateful?

When answered prayers are granted most are no different than the 9 lepers who failed to thank Jesus for healing them (Luke 17:11-20). When wants go unanswered many become frustrated with God. In everything, don’t forget God! After 40 years in the wilderness 

God reminded the children of Israel once you are satisfied don’t forget to praise the Lord (Deut. 8:1-20). If you are currently in a wilderness or have built great wealth; don’t forget God. Be grateful for every blessing. Learn to praise and thank God more.