Warrior Wednesdays: The Keys to Blessings

Do you need a miracle? (Don't we all) If your answer is yes today's bible reading will show you how to be blessed of God. God can work with anything that you have to offer him. Many times we feel as though we have nothing to offer God. Maybe you are not the greatest singer, or perhaps you do not have a great deal of money, but maybe you are a wonderful baker. God has the power to turn that talent into a million dollar business if you allow him. God is able to bless even the little that you have to offer him. The key to being blessed is Faith and Obedience.

In 2 Kings 4 we are introduced to a woman who is desperate. Her husband has recently passed away and left the family in debt. Now a debt collector was going to take her two sons and force them to work until they paid off the debt. She needed a major miracle from God and the only thing she had in her house was 1 pot of oil. 

Elisha told her to "...borrow thee vessels abroad of thy neighbors...borrow not a few."  The woman and her sons gathered jars from all over their neighborhood and poured oil from the 1 pot she had in her house. The oil did not stop flowing until she ran out of jars. Once she had all of the jars filled Elisha told her to sell the oil and pay the debt, and live with her children at rest. Although , the bible does not say how many jars she collected or how much money she made I imagine in must have been a great deal of money. She was able to completely pay off her debt and live with her two sons at rest. At rest implies no struggle and peace. Therefore, she must made enough money to never have to work again and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. 

The number of jars they gathered was an indication of their faith. God provided as much as their willingness to obey. They could have had a negative attitude when Elisha told them to gather jars from their neighbors, remember he did not tell them what they were going to do with those jars. They could have thought the idea was stupid, and a waste of time or they could have been embarrassed to ask people for jars. When we are instructed to do something by God or the man/woman of God it is important to do it despite how we may feel.  We can limit God's blessings by a lack of faith and lack of obedience. God is able and wants to do more than we ask or think!

Stay Blessed and Continue Warring for Christ!

Warrior Wednesday: Brittney

TRANSFORMING TUESDAY: The Bible Is Our Security Blanket

Have you ever needed something to bring with you everywhere you went? Think back to being a child, did you ever carry a blanket? If you did, then you know at the time the blanket was a security blanket. For me I never did that as a child, but I'm sure I found security in other objects. My aunts and older sisters told me I was a crybaby (I don't even believe them -___- ), so I always wanted to be up under my mom. Although I don't even remember that, I do remember carrying a Pocahontas jumbo-sized doll with me everywhere that I went. My mother brought me that doll when she was living in Florida and I was living with my father. That doll was my security and she stayed right by my side. I still have that doll at my father's house :)

That doll couldn't protect me from the monsters under my bed. That doll couldn't protect me from the real evils of this world. So why was it so special/important to me? Why did it serve as my security blanket? It was because it served as sentimental value - my mom who wasn't there at the time was there with me through the form of a doll. What if instead of a plastic jumbo-sized doll, I had a real security blanket? What if when I was afraid of the monsters under my bed, or the real evils of the world, I used the Bible (The Word of God) as my real security blanket? 

SERVING ONE MASTER:

Having the Bible/Word of God as a security blanket establishes that you only serve ONE master. God is not a god that shares a spotlight with someone else. There is only ONE him. We saw last week how God was the only God to set water on fire. We also saw how the people prayed to Baal allllllll day, cried out, and even cut themselves for him to show that he was real. What happened? Nothing happened!!! There is only ONE God who calls the sun and moon to rise and set. There is only ONE God who gives both you and I purpose. There is only ONE God who knows the beginning from the ending. He is the alpha and the omega. He doesn't take days off. So when there a times when we are afraid of the monsters under our beds and the evils of the world, he'll be there 24/7. The Bible states, "21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." (1 Corinthians 10:21 KJV). This means that when it comes to having the Word of God in our hearts and with us at all times, we can't straddle the fence. Either we're in or we're not. When it comes to God there is no "maybe," he wants our WHOLE hearts. We are still given that power of choice to decide who we want to serve: God or the world/satan. It's not complicated.

KNOWING WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS:

Today's reading focused on the power of the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 10, speaks directly to knowing the power of God. I know that there is a phenomenon going on revolving around being vegan, vegetarian, or abstaining from eating pork or other types of food. I remember there was a time I questioned whether I could eat certain foods and I almost stopped eating bacon (it was a real struggle!!!). Not to say that anyone who chooses not to eat certain foods are wrong, but for those who eat anything and feel you are wrong, the bible states, "25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." (1 Corinthians 10:25-26 KJV). This means that the Lord has created the animals and more on this Earth for our purpose. For the most part everything is free range as long as we PRAY before we consume it. Bless your food before you eat. That's just one example of why it is important to know what the Bible says. Too many times we become so sold on what others say that we reject the notion of looking into the Bible for clarity.

HEARING GOD'S VOICE & DELIVERING THE WORD:

Have you ever been praying at the alter and someone spoke a word to you and it was something similar to what you have been praying about? Or have you ever been praying for something and a stranger or someone you know ever gave you reassurance about the situation although they knew nothing about it? The same thing happened to me Sunday - I was happy on the outside, but on the inside I was worried about something that I have been praying for for about a week now. I was trying not to let it bother me, but I couldn't help it because it's a serious situation. Well I was leaving one part of the church to go to a meeting in another part and this man from my church came up to me and quoted a scripture that basically reassured everything that I was praying about. It was confirmation of not only what was happening at the moment, but what I know is to come. God has a way of using others to get us to a place to trust him. The same thing happened in 2 Kings 3:11-12, "11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah. 12 And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the Lord is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him" (KJV). The three kings in this passage knew who to call on when they needed a word from God. Elisha was able to deliver the word and the message that God told him to deliver came to pass. It was no coincidence, it was written. God called it and so it was.

POINT TO PONDER:

So why don't we use the Bible/The Word of God as our security blanket when we have to face the challenges of the world? Why do we seek comfort in other things that cannot compare to what God can do? I encourage you all to use the Word of God as a security blanket. I've found that through reading the Bible, that although times have changed the messages remain the same. It's true that history repeats itself and so it's true that nothing really that can happen today that has not already happened in the Bible. 

Having the Word of God wherever you go means that: 1) You acknowledge serving ONE God; 2) You know what the Bible says - You know scripture for yourself; 3) You can hear and/or deliver the Word of God. Even if you cannot do all three just yet, if you continue to seek Christ you will eventually be able to do them :) There is something comforting about being able to quote scriptures to problems, being able to believe the Word of God, being able to know when God is speaking to you, and being able to direct others to scriptures when they are facing problems. So turn away from the comfort that you find in worldly things and pick up the Bible and get to know Christ...

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO TRANSFORM YOUR TUESDAYS!!!

TRANSFORMING TUESDAY: JAMERA

Merciful Monday: Run With Purpose!

An athlete in training is a sight to see. The best of the best eat a healthy diet, practice on a frequent, scheduled basis, speak attainment of the prize they are seeking into their life, and adhere to the wise words of their coach or coaches. One word to describe such an athlete would be: DETERMINED. Each end every day that they go out and do their drills, they perform them with purpose, not just because lifting weights is fun or because it keeps them occupied, but because they are determined to achieve the goal that they have set out to achieve, whether it be a personal record or a world record.

So why does Paul compare the life of the Christian to that of an athlete? Because both strong Christians and great athletes share something in common… determination. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! ²⁵ All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. ²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. ²⁷ I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” Like the best athletes we should be determined to be more Christ-like and determined to achieve our ultimate goal, which is Heaven. But unlike the athlete, we never retire from our sport (Christianity). In this life and even in Heaven our goal is ALWAYS to be like Christ and to walk in the purpose that HE has for our lives.

James chapter 2 tells us that faith without works is dead and Ephesians 2 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, which is a gift from God. So each and every day we wake up we should walk in this, knowing full well that it is not going to be easy and knowing that although we believe in the saving grace of God, we have a responsibility to ACT UPON OUR FAITH. Thus, determination is the ultimate proving factor of our faith.

A determined athlete keeps on running even when it feels like their lungs are going to collapse and their legs are going to give out,. A determined Christian keeps going to class even when they know it has already been 7 years, they still haven’t attained their degree, and they don’t know how they are going to pay for their classes for next semester. A determined Christian does what is right even when they are ridiculed, outcast, and treated like a leper. A determined Christian speaks life into the body of their mother lying in bed, slowly deteriorating from cancer. A determined Christian wakes up to pray at 3am when they feel the spirit tugging on them, even though they know they have to be up at 6am for work. But most of all, a determined Christian walks in their purpose of utmost importance, striving to be more and more like Christ each and every day so that at the end they can say like Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Sometimes, I find myself thinking that the Christian life is not for me, and that there is no way I have to power within me to remain determined and committed to God for the rest of my life. But then I remember that no matter how many times I fall, if I get back up and continue racing towards God, he will strengthen me. He is like the “water volunteers” at the 5k walks. Along the race, he will hand you cups of water to satiate your thirst and towels to wipe the sweat of life off of your brow. If we continue to RUN WITH PURPOSE and remember to lean on him when we feel weak, He will strengthen us to achieve the goals that we you set out to achieve. With Jesus we can make it!

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

Salvation Sundays: You Are God Alone

When looking at the world, how many religions are there? Did you know that there are about 1 billion religions and 21 major religions. The main religions that come into mind are Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Jehovah Witness and many more. Now, in the Christianity religion, there are mad denomination and i don't really care for having the separations.  However, there is only one God with one name who's name is Jesus Christ, who is the Messiah!!! Here are a couple of words to describe who God is!!!

In 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, we see the truth about the existence of God and who is the true God. "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."  As it can be seen, there is one God and His name is Jesus Christ!! I love the part where it says though there be that are called gods.  There is a confirmation that people are going to call idols and what not gods or lords, but we know who is the true God!! And there are instances where you have these false prophets or false gods that people are worshipping. For example, let's look at when Elijah was showing the worshippers of Baal that the Lord God Almighty was the true living God. And God proved it by sending fire down. Now, these religions say that their god is real. But, the question is how do we know that our God is the real true God? My question have you ever experienced a situation where the world said one thing and God changed it in an instance? Have you ever been in a prayer service and just felt God move all through you? Or God has completed surgery on your heart? This is one way we know that God is real and the truth!! And the faith that we have helps us to trust Him!! Another way to know God and realize who is God is that we have to read His Word and seek His face!!

There's a great song that talks about how God is god alone. It talks about how there is none that compares to God!!! I love this song!!!! Hope you are blessed by this song!! Remember that He is God ALONE and the He deserves all of the praise!!!

I was blessed by the words, so I decided to provide them here as well. 

Verse 1:

There's no question of Your greatness,

no searching of Your power.

All the wonder of Your glory,

to You forty years is but one hour.

Your knowledge is all encompassing,

to Your wisdom there is no end;

for You alone are God,

You are God alone.

Verse 2:

Your mercy is everlasting,

Your truth is here always.

You are He who was and is, and is to come.

Who is He that can number you day,

You've flung the sun to burn in space,

and the night's moon powers light from day;

You are God alone.

 Chorus:

Now unto the King,

eternal, immortal, invisible,

the only wise God,

the only wise God;

You alone are God,

for You are God alone.

  Vamp:

Be all glory and honor,

dominion, and power

forever and ever, amen.

   Ending:

For You alone are God,

You are God alone.

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."

GUEST BLOGGER FOR THE MONTH OF JULY: Blessings In Disguise

Have you ever had something great in your life taken away from you? Did you seek answers from God as to why this was happening? Did you believe you were being punished for something you may have done wrong? These are all common thoughts among us. Usually, we are not being punished. God just may have something better in store for us.

I remember when I lost my job in October 2012 due to Hurricane Sandy. I had so many fears. I didn’t know how I would pay my bills, find a new job, etc. I was depressed for a couple months. I started sending out job applications but then became discouraged when I didn’t get many responses. There were many days when I just did not leave the house and stayed in bed. I was feeling sorry for myself but what good did that do? I couldn’t see it at the time but God was testing me. He gave me an opportunity to do something better with my life and find a job relating to the career I want to pursue. A friend of mine mentioned a job opening at a law firm. I sent in my resume and was offered a higher position than I interviewed for! WHAT A BLESSING! I am now a case manager at one of the top personal injury law firms in New Jersey! I was holding on to my previous job because it was comfortable and familiar which is why I failed to realize there was something much more rewarding for me.

I learned that sometimes bad things happen to good people for a REASON. The reason may not be the same for everyone but you must always stand strong with God. Today’s reading is from the book of Job. Job was an upright and righteous man who was blessed with abundance. Satan challenged the Lord and said that Job would curse Him if everything was taken away. So Job lost his children and his livestock. Satan challenged again, causing Job to also lose his health.

At first, Job did not blame God but that quickly changed. He began to curse the day he was born and ask for God to take his life! Why is that a solution? Why should anyone feel like they cannot handle what obstacles come their way? Satan will always put obstacles in your path to weaken you. The solution is FAITH. Trust in God that he will walk you through that path unharmed. Job thought God purposely led him into darkness. He felt like he was being wrongfully punished.  

Job 30:21 “But You have become cruel to me; With the strength of your hand You oppose me.”

Job didn’t realize that God was only testing his faith and loyalty to Him. Job was too concerned with what he lost and how people mocked him. God finally challenged Job and humbled him. Job repented, 42:5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself. And repent in dust and ashes.”

He was blessed with even more than what he had! It’s important to TRUST while facing adversity. You may become angry or saddened but do not let that affect your judgment. I recently had my car taken away from me two days before my birthday. I could have become angry and blamed God for allowing that to happen. Of course I was upset, but I decided to pick myself up. I knew God wasn’t trying to hurt me. There was a reason behind it. I ended up buying a car that very same day! The tears of sadness became tears of joy. It was truly a blessing in disguise. God may have taken something away but replaced it with something even better.

I can admit that I lost faith a few times in God and I got angry. I didn’t think I deserved some of the events that occurred in my life. Now I know it made me the woman I am today and I am stronger because of it. You may get knocked down many times in life but God will always lift you back up. Trust Him and thank Him for his mercy. He will always work in your favor.

Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

GUEST BLOGGER FOR THE MONTH OF JULY: TRICIA 

Saturday Sacrifice:Remember God, and have a piece of humble pie

Eating a piece of humble pie can sometimes be hard for people to swallow. Even the most humble person can slip up sometimes.

Human beings have the tendency to always want the credit for everything. We want to get our shine on.

There’s no issue in being successful because God wants to bless us in every aspect of our life.

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I think the issue arises when we forget to acknowledge God and thank him for it.

Like in Amos 5, the children of Israel forgot all the wonderful things God blessed them with. Instead of acknowledging him and thanking him for it they offered sacrifices to other gods and idols.

 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
    your assemblies are a stench to me.
²² Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
    I will have no regard for them.
²³ Away with the noise of your songs!
    I will not listen to the music of your harps.
²⁴ But let justice roll on like a river,
    righteousness like a never-failing stream!

²⁵ “Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings
    forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?
²⁶ You have lifted up the shrine of your king,
    the pedestal of your idols,
    the star of your god^[b]—
    which you made for yourselves.
²⁷ Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,”
    says the Lord, whose name is God Almighty.

I believe God honors humility. In a way when you are humble and direct the glory back to God you are praising him.

King Ahab humbled himself before God, and God remembered him for it.  “²⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: ²⁹ “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day..”

So remember God, acknowledge him, thank him, and have a piece of humble pie!!=)

Stay in God’s peace, not in pieces =)

Saturday Sacrifice: Hannah

Friday Fellowship: When do you recognize God in your life?

The easiest way to recognize God’s hand in your life is when your strength has failed, when your abilities aren’t enough, when your knowledge won’t suffice and when everything within your power falls short.

God is most easily recognized at these times because we can’t associate the outcome to ourselves.

In the book of Kings twice Israel was in a battle against great odds. Both times God spoke to their king saying they will be victorious and after they will KNOW GOD IS LORD. After, their victory Israel knew they were not the reason for the victory, but God was. When you have an understanding of your limits, you will understand where God begins and recognize God’s involvement.

1 Kings 20:13

“And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord.”

This resembles our present world, a miracle is noted when there are great odds or opposition or achievements. However, is this the only time God should be acknowledged? Does God only help achieve notable things?  No!! Definitely not!

Psalms 40:15

“O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.”

It also says in psalms that God has numbered the hairs on our heads. God wants to be involved in everything in our lives from small to great because of the great love he has for us. God deserves glory and thanks even for things most people might call trivial.

I give glory to God as often as I can because I KNOW GOD IS LORD. This means the air I breathe is his, the eyes I open are his, the job I have is his and ultimately everything because God is lord. God is lord means God has power and authority over all. Everything we have is from God.

Deuteronomy 10:14

“To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.”

Make it a habit to acknowleged  GOD AS LORD  and give God glory. Then watch blessings flow in your life. Show how much you appreciate his help and KNOW GOD IS LORD by thanking God for everything.  I will share my small list of things I normally give God thanks and glory for.

Small List of Gratitude toward the Lord my God

·         I haven’t received a ticket since last year, thank you God.

·         Returned to college this year, thank you God.

·         My eyes are pain free since last year, thank you God.

·         All my bills are paid and not late, thank you God.

·         I feel really good today, thank you God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”