Merciful Monday: Defend the Faith

Jude 1:3 “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.”

 

Jude tells us that as Christians, we have a responsibility that God has entrusted us with, and that is to “defend the faith.” In a way we are like soldiers protecting something sacred and special. We are to protect the gospel “because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives” (Jude 1:4).

 

I’m sure you can think of someone who has tried to get in between you and God, saying that you don’t need to go to church, you don’t need to pray as often as you do, or you don’t need to read the Bible, etc. in order to be a Christian. And a lot of times, it’s those that are close to us, or even in church, that try to deceive us. I’ve heard Christians say that they planned to do something ungodly because they knew that God would forgive them. While it is true that when we ask God forgiveness, he is forgives us without hesitation (1 John 1:9 says, “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins”), he also looks at our intentions. Furthermore, you never know how one moment of disobedience may change your life forever.

 

If any of you have ever seen the Tyler Perry movie, Temptation, you know what I am talking about. If not, ***SPOILER ALERT***…the main character decided that her life was too normal and boring, so she began doing drugs and cheating on her husband. Needless to say, she ended up contracting HIV! This was very real to me, because she was probably just trying to have fun, until her life spiraled out of control. She had lived an immoral life, making many ungodly decisions, and at that point the damage was done to her health.

 

This is fictitious, but very compelling cautionary tale. But don’t worry; Jude gives us the following instructions on how to resist those that try to worm into our churches and cause us to believe that we can act immorally without consequence:

 

1. Build each other up in your most holy faith-encourage your brothers and sisters in the Lord even when you’re feeling down. Remind them that this life will end, but one day God will reward his people with all heavenly blessings.
2. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit-when confronted with naysayers, prayer is the best weapon! Pray for God’s spirit to protect your mind and your heart, the places that are most vulnerable to deception.
3. Await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life-this involves the thing that I’m sure we all struggle with, PATIENCE. Remember that God doesn’t work on our time, but he shows us mercy as HE sees fit.  At the end of the day, if you follow him you will have everlasting life.
4. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment- telling someone else about Jesus and about his truth can save them from destruction. Try to dissuade them from believing in their mortality, in government, and in science. You should want your family and friends to join you one day in heaven.
5. Show mercy, with caution
1. Show mercy to those whose faith is wavering- not everyone decides to follow Christ on the same schedule. Be patient with your friends that haven’t fully believed yet. Just pray for them and be a constant example of a godly person. Remember to be merciful towards those that try to deceive others, just as God shows mercy upon you everyday.
2.  Hating the sins that contaminate their lives- My mom always told me that we shouldn’t hate people, but the sin that they commit. Don’t let hate pollute your heart, just pray against the spirit of confusion that tries to take over those that try to deceive others.

 

Salvation Sunday: You Won't Let us Fall

How many in life make mistakes? How many fall and mess up? I know I do. I especially fail and mess up when I choose to do things that are not what God wants. When we allow God to be our refuge and our rock, then He will keep us and strengthen us. In Psalm 94:18, it says "When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up." No matter what we go through, God will always keep and save us. It does not matter if we make mistakes or facing hard times, we just have to trust God and let Him keep us. We gotta remember that God will always save us when we fall. When going through life, we have to remember that God will never let us fall. 

When going through life, we think that we are alone. We think that we are receiving no help.  But to be honest, God is always there the whole time. Sometimes it looks like we are all alone. Honestly, the truth is that we are being carried by God. When we are being carried by God, we know that He is helping us through it and that He is making sure that we don't fall to our doom.  So always remember that God is always with you and that He is holding you up as you are going through life and any struggles that come with it. Don't give up and keep your head up!!!


Stay blessed!!!

Salvation Sunday: Steven Gable

2 Chronicles 6:41 "Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness."

Saturday Sacrifice: Go Get it!!

Yesterday I came to Friday night Prayer service at my church kind of late. Never the less, what I heard for the last half of hour of the service was very impactful.

The minister was talking about the visions and dreams God gives us.

He also continued to say that we forget about these vision and dreams that God gives us.

He said that yes we write them down in our journals, ipads, cell phones, etc like the verse says,

² And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. Habakuk 2:2.

However, when we don’t see it revealed in our life immediately we forget about those dreams instead of continuing to work towards it like God wants us to.

James 2:14-26

¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?¹⁵ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,¹⁶ And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?¹⁷ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?²² Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?²³ And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.²⁴ Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.²⁵ Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

God can’t bless us if we are stationary and not actively working towards our dreams. Faith to me is an action word. If you believe God to bless you with a full ride to college, you first have to apply and then take the necessary steps to get to that point.

Once you do your part by simply just stepping (ACTIVATING YOUR FAITH) in the direction that God has pointed you in, he will handle all of the rest.

He will give you unimaginable favor just like in the book of Ezra 5-6. It says in the last verse of chapter 6 that the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he (the King) assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

Saturday Sacrifice: Hannah
Stay in God's Peace, not in pieces=)

Friday Fellowship: There is Power in You

There is Power in You

1 John5:4

 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

To be born again is a process.

1.       Repentance- death to sinful ways and turning to God.

2.       Baptism-Burial of sins in the blood of Jesus, forever cleansing our sins.

3.       Resurrection-Receiving God’s gift of Holy Spirit, born again in spirit, becoming a new creature.

This Holy Spirit is evident in a born again believers life through evidence of speaking in tongues.  Speaking in tongues is a holy language of the spirit. Too those whom have not heard it, the bible says it is a sign to those whom don’t believe. However, reared in the church and having the spirit, at one point I didn’t believe. Hearing people pray in the Holy Spirit or tongues always created doubts in me. I received the Holy Spirit as a kid, so I didn’t understand really what was inside me. At times I prayed in Holy Spirit, but wandered if I was copying someone or imagining.

What changed? In college when things weren’t working out and departure was soon to be my decision; I turned to this mysterious thing inside me. I knew there was a God, and so I told myself maybe this Holy Spirit could help me because it has to do something. Months at school, I’d pray in other tongues. Believing whatever it was and was saying had to make a difference in my life. Months passed by and my situation did not get any better, as I left school.

 Although, during that time I learned what the Holy Spirit can do for you. My final months at school, my mind was tormented with negativity and hopelessness. It was an everyday struggle to smile, because I knew at the end of the semester my college career was over. Successful throughout most of my life, handling failure wasn’t within me. Stressed to the point of physical side effects, it was the Holy Spirit which took me off this downward spiral. The Holy Spirit gave me rest. My worrying was constant, but after praying in the Holy Spirit, the worrying stopped. I learned that the Holy Spirit releases peace in your life.

 Soon after, I began to read his word with praying in the spirit and God opened my ears. At that point in my life I didn’t read the bible, only maybe occasionally Psalms or Proverbs. Venturing off, God led me to another book in the bible. After finishing the read, I broke down in tears as my ears were open to God. I knew exactly what God wanted me to know. He wanted me to know, that He (God) has many ways to save. My dreams had shattered with this failure and I couldn’t see myself surviving the chapters in life that presumably would come. So presently, arriving at Montclair each week is a constant reminder that this Holy Spirit inside me makes a difference in my life. Know what’s inside you! It is a power to OVERCOME and a power to CHANGE YOUR SITUATION.

John 14:26

²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you

1 Corinthians 2:10-12

¹⁰ But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

¹¹ For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Thirsty Thursday: Love one another

“7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God...8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” 1 John 4:7-8. Love is a very powerful word. It encompasses many different things. It is one of the most essential commandments given; yet you take a look around and it isn’t hard to see believers not really loving each other, as we should. As stated in yesterday’s wonderful post, according to urban dictionary a hater is a person who simply cannot be happy for another person’s success. For no good reason they don’t like a person, or always have something to say about someone, pointing out any and every flaw a person has. So instead of coming together, one body of Christ, with a common goal and purpose of furthering the kingdom, there are rifts and dissension.

We are called to love one another. We strive to be Christ like and to do God’s will. Well God is love and he showed us his love by performing the ultimate sacrifice. “9…He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” We are all children of God, we should support and encourage one another. Don’t hate on someone else because they are doing well or for any other petty reason that may arise. Instead be proud of their achievements and success. Do not be bitter or hold a grudge, forgive as God has forgiven us for our sins. Lets work on building each other up instead of tearing each other down. We need to put aside the differences and come together for the greater good.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 does a wonderful job painting a picture of what love is. “4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails…” 

Stay Thirsty My Friends

Thirsty Thursdays

Warrior Wednesdays: HATERS

Urban dictionary defines a hater as "A person that simply cannot be happy for another person's success. So rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person. " When most people think of the word hate or hater they would agree with the urban dictionary definition. However, the bible associates the word hate with murder. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. " 1 John 3:15 Most people believe they will be going to heaven and have eternal life. The previous verse states if you have hate in your heart you are like a murderer who will not make it into heaven (if you do not repent).  

As someone stated in our young adults meeting hate and bitterness only hurts you. Holding a grudge is similar to swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die. It is crazy! You are only harming and killing yourself while the other person is fine. Having hate and bitterness in your heart will only harm you and most importantly it will keep you from going to heaven. If you have bitterness or hate against anyone I encourage you to let it go not just for the other person, but for you. Have the freedom and life that God wants you to live! Hate free!

Stay Blessed and Continue Warring for Christ!

Warrior Wednesday: Brittney

TRANSFORMING TUESDAY: Warning Signs...

The Bible is our tool aka our instruction guide to life. I gives us insight. It gives us peace. It gives us guidance. And something we don't think about...the Bible gives us WARNING SIGNS. A warning sign is not always something that is viewed as negative. A WARNING SIGN can be positive. It can steer us in a certain direction to avoid different types of danger that lurks ahead. Life gives us warning signs all of the time. If someone is constantly lying to us, then that right there is a WARNING SIGN that you shouldn't get into a relationship with that person. Also, if someone is easily angered, then that should be a WARNING SIGN that maybe you should keep your distance. Do you pay attention to the WARNING SIGNS in your life? Don't even get me started on the warning signs that I somehow have refused to acknowledge in my life (for whatever reason)...

WARNING SIGNS IN THE BIBLE:

• LOVE & HATE

The Bible tells us not to hate. As Christians we have a duty to spread love one another. More importantly, we have a duty not to be hypocrites. Having love for God and for all of his creation, is obeying God. The Bible tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. The Bible also tells us that love is truth and truth is light. What are the WARNING SIGNS??? The light is already shining as it always has been, but don't be fooled because darkness is present as well. This means that God has always been here and will always be here. However, don't be so fixed on God saving you that your actions show that you feel like you have all of the time in the world. That is not the case. The devil is real too. And he's evil and he doesn't really care about you or I.

• BEING SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD

As believers in Christ we are supposed to be of this world, but not in the world. That means we walk this Earth just like any other human does, but we never get too comfortable with the things of the world that we get to the point that we call Earth our home. We have an understanding that Heaven is where we want to me. This is because the world will eventually pass away, but God and his love will live forever. Believing and trusting in God will get us to that eternal life -- the life that we all desire to live. What are the WARNING SIGNS??? Earth doesn't last so when God comes back and destroys everything (including Earth) where will you reside? The possibility of a life in hell should be unsettling. That is not a future I see for myself and I pray that you don't see that in your future as well.

• DENYING GOD

Denying God is equivalent to living a lie. God is truth, so believing in him is believing in truth in every sense of who he is. The Bible tells us that anyone who denies God is an antichrist. Why is this a WARNING SIGN??? Because the Bible already states that many antichrist have already come. And also, all of these distractions in the world that encourage people to deny God are created to lead us astray. No one likes to feel lost but for some reason we engage in all of these activities that were created to bring us further away from the will of God. 

• SIN

The Bible tells us not to sin. I know it's easier said than done. We are born into sin so it's often a struggle to remain on the right path and live a life free of sin. That is exactly why when we sin (which we will), it is important that we take accountability for our actions and ask for forgiveness. I'm highly convinced that people allow for the devil to use them. For example,  I personally know the most evil person walking this Earth. I'm not even sure why they're so evil or even what caused them to be this way. I do however know that it's always a struggle for me to be around them. Like it's personally draining and this week I even contemplating treating me the way that they treat me. I also wanted to lash out on them because I felt like I couldn't take it. Even my thoughts and judgment became cloudy. What was the WARNING SIGN??? My warning sign was that I'm supposed to love my neighbor and at the end of the day, it is never acceptable for me to treat others negatively because that's how they treat me. I'll continue to turn the other cheek and most importantly, pray that I have compassion on them and that God softens their heart. It must be a lonely life to walk around with a hardened heart. Life is too precious, life is too grand, life is too temporary. 

PRAYER

Lord thank you for your guidance through your word. Thank you for allowing us to draw nearer to you through your teachings in your word. Every time we read we have a piece from you especially when we sometimes feel we can't hear you as clearly as we would like. Thank you also Lord for your WARNING SIGNS. We may not pay too much attention when we should but thank you for your grace. We pray that when we become too consumed with hate, too consumed with things of this world, too consumed with denying who you are through doubting you, and too consumed with sin, that you will reel us right back into your presence. Lord we want to be near you and feel you. And lastly, we pray that you will continue to bestow grace upon our lives that will steer us into the direction that you plan for our lives. We don't want to make hell our home because our hearts and souls belong in Heaven with you. Thank you for life, for opportunity, for blessings, for destiny, and for your WARNING SIGNS. Amen.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO TRANSFORM YOUR TUESDAY :)

TRANSFORMING TUESDAY: JAMERA

Merciful Monday: I Belong to YOU

Usually, when you know that you are a part of something you act differently. If you know that you are in a relationship with someone of the opposite sex you act differently than you would if you were single. You probably stop telling people you’re single, flirting with members of the opposite sex, staying out late (especially without notifying your boyfriend/girlfriend), etc.

But most of all, your thinking is different. You are mindful of your significant other, resulting in actions which show that you are thinking of them. If you are planning to go shopping or to a place that you know they will like, you will probably invite them to attend with you, or at the very least, buy them something to show that they were on your mind. You no longer think of yourself as being alone, but as a part of a group, where you no longer represent just yourself, but you belong to something larger than yourself.

⁴ But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. ⁵ Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. ⁶ But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception. (1 John 4:4-6)

1 John 4:4-6 shows us that you reflect what you belong to. People “of the world,” those who don’t believe in God, speak in a worldly manner, and worldly people relate to them. They tell stories to their worldly friends about how cool it was when they got high last night, or when they punched their friend in the face, or they cursed out their teacher, and they relish in these stories.

As Christians, we belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20 says “for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body”). So we relish in stories about how we had a great time at church last night or how we prayed with a friend, and our godly friends listen.

We belong to God and he bought us with a price, so basically we should be reflections of him in all that we do. Since belonging is mostly a mindset, we should embrace the notion that God’s spirit within us is greater that the spirit that lives in the world. Once you’ve embraced this mindset, your actions will begin to follow your thoughts, causing you to walk more righteously and confidently in knowing that you are wanted and accepted by the perfect one (God) despite your imperfections. Also, your actions toward God will begin to express the fact that he is on your mind, resulting in more prayer (or conversation) with Him, more reading of his word, and more instances in which we tell others about him (just as you would tell all your friends about your new boyfriend/girlfriend).

Challenge: Look at your face in the mirror every morning and tell yourself “I BELONG TO GOD.” We have to get it in our minds that we belong to him and such are his reflection.

Merciful Mondays: Jael

^“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.” Deuteronomy 4:31

GUEST BLOGGER FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER: What Can I Do Without His Presence?

Psalm 84

King James Version (KJV)

1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.

4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.

10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Have you ever just loved being in someone’s presence? Is there a person whose presence alone made all the difference? There is always One whose presence I long to be in daily. That One is Jesus!

Growing up in a church that had a prayer room was such a blessing! Throughout the years, I spent hours upon hours in that prayer room just being in the presence of God! It was in that room and at the altar that I built a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus. I would always get a sense of peace and joy from being in His presence. I brought Him every burden and everything that was weighing me down; I was transparent and intimate with God. I could tell Him things that nobody else would understand. Sometimes I would just sit after praying and read His Word, meditate, and wait to hear from Him.

When we moved into our new church building in 2009, we no longer had a prayer room. It was then I learned how privileged I was to be able to go to a prayer room where I could just cry out to God and just be in His presence. There was a strain on my relationship with God. Yes, I still prayed and sought His face but I had to really press and push to get into His presence.

I went away to college in 2011; and I went away confident with my mind made up to keep my relationship with God strong. Being away from home and my church family was difficult at times because sometimes I just needed someone to encourage me to keep praying and keep reading my Word. Being the only Christian at school was a battle and I just wanted to feel the presence of God! There were so many different spirits roaming around and all I longed for was God’s presence! I still had a relationship with God but I didn’t always feel His presence as strongly as I used to. It was then that I truly understood what the psalmist meant in this passage when he said I would rather be a doorkeeper at the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of the wicked! But I pressed into His presence because I wouldn’t have made it throughout my 2 years in college without Jesus.

I’m sure you can relate to yearning for the presence of the Lord! In His presence there is always fullness of joy and at His right hand pleasures evermore. At the end of the day and after I’ve done all I could on my own, I always realize I’m nothing without God and His presence! I too am like the psalmist, My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. So when you’re in a dry and weary place and there’s a void I urge you to tap in and press into His presence! It’s the only thing that can satisfy and keep you.

People always ask me how do I know God like I do and how am I so wise and insightful about the things of God like I am. The answer to both of those questions are that I’ve invested and spent time in the presence of God. Not just sitting at His feet but I’ve been intimately in His face. I’ve only made it this far in life because of all the time I’ve spent with Him. For it’s truly better to spend just one day in His presence(house) than to go a thousand days without Him. I pray that this encourages you to spend more time in His presence and in His Word, and then you too will see what a difference the presence of God makes! 

God bless! GUEST BLOGGER FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER: KEONA 

Salvation Sundays: Follow Thou Me

In John 21, Jesus talks a lot about follow me. He wants the disciples to understand that they need to follow Christ and not others. They don’t need to follow the opinion of others. They don’t need to follow anyone that is against Christ. Follow Christ!!! The only way to reach God is go through His Son, Jesus. And Jesus told us to FOLLOW HIM!!! So, the only way to reach God is to go through His Son. The only way to get to His Son is by following Christ.

When we are following Christ, we have to cast doubt and trust that God is going to handle it all. We cannot be like Thomas and not believe in what God is showing us. When following Christ, you may have to do some crazy things that don’t seem like they are supposed to be a part of your destiny. The question is did you plan your destiny? Or did you God plan your destiny and you are deciding to FOLLOW His plan for your life? Remember Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” So, God knows what is best for your life. God knows what you need and what you don’t need. God knows how to guide you to your future and the best path for you to travel to reach your destiny. Therefore, why would you not trust God and follow Him?

I think it’s interesting that Jesus’ journey led in Him dying on the cross so He could return to God. Yes, He died on the cross so that we all can live forever with Christ. But during this time, Jesus was following the will of God and obeying God with every task at hand. And if you think about it, the only way for Jesus to return back to God was to die. He had to kill off that flesh and then when talking to Mary, He told her for I have not returned to my Father. Therefore, He was clean and He wanted to make sure that He stayed clean and pure before He went back to His Father. Now, our journey is very similar. Now in 1 Corinthians 15:31, it says “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” Now, Paul was saying that God I have to die daily to the flesh. He would not be able to be in God’s presence or be with Him if he did not spiritually die daily. It’s the same thing with us. We have to die daily to the flesh. 

In Matthew 16:24-26, it says “ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Therefore, we have to make sure to deny our flesh and pick up our lives and follow Christ. It doesn't what cross or burdens you have, take them to the cross. Follow Christ and eventually He will remove those burdens off your shoulder. 

In Proverbs 16:3, it says “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” So all we have to do is commit our works unto God. Or follow Christ and He shall establish our thoughts. When we follow Christ, God will open up doors for your thoughts or your desires to be fulfilled. But, we have to follow Christ and seek Him. Matthew 6:33 says “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Therefore, with it all, we have to follow Christ so He can establish our thoughts and so we can reach our destination. Let’s trust God and follow Him!!

Stay blessed!!!
Salvation Sundays: Steven Gable

    2 Chronicles 6:41 "Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness."

Saturday Sacrifice: We are Kings and Queens of Faith

⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the

knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:Christ;

2 Corinthians 10

King Hezekiah truly demonstrated and lived his life with these verses as his mantra.

He truly understood the power of the truly living God. Even in the face of death and destruction he still was steadfast.

For it says in 2 Chronicles 32, King Hezekiah “ …appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: ⁷ “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. ⁸ With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

I admire King Hezekiah. This king was definitely a king of faith. He never saw God but he seen his power before. So, he didn’t second guess this time that God would deliver.

It’s funny because now at days especially in America we faint and lose faith when it comes to little things. King Hezekiah was facing the wrath of a vicious King and his army.

We have never seen God either. However, we have seen his power demonstrated in our lives. So, in a sense we are like King Hezekiah.

But, do we still believe that with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.

Remember that “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”.

Having faith in God is to trust and believe that God will deliver. Just like the verse mentioned above you will be blessed.

God is pleased when you have faith in him. It means you believe he is who he says he is.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Romans 11:6

So, like Hezekiah we have never seen God. However, we have seen his power demonstrated in our lives.

So, like King Hezekiah believe that with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.

Stay in God’s Peace, not in pieces =)

Saturday Sacrifice: Hannah