Baseball

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

It’s like baseball if you don't touch first base all the other bases are unimportant and won’t count.

Second base is like money to us. It's the closest to 1st base because we equate it's importance with our desire for Christ. As if we get the money everything else will come. 

Third is like our material gain. This base represent our cars our homes our possessions. Anything we feel we should have but not necessarily need. 

And last, home base is our social status in life. Home base represents our sense of accomplishment. Things we have obtained and what we have done for ourselves. And normally this is complimented by the acceptance and approval of others. The praise one receives for stepping on the base.

There is nothing wrong with having money, cars/homes and wanting to make something of yourself in life. The problem comes in when these things come before Christ. When they do, you lose sight of truly what’s most important and truly the key to obtaining what we search for.

An excuse to sin

Often people find comfort in this verse Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; When we read the entire chapter we understand that this verse pertains to the fact that not one person, or people is better than another. For the fact that we all have sinned therefore none of us are blameless. It’s only the blood of the Lamb that redeems us.

Far too often we use this verse as an excuse to sin. We do this and quote the verse out of context and take the ed off of sinned and say we sin as if sin is a continuous thing we practice. NOT SO people. Romans 6 :1-7 Cleary defines our new life in Christ being a life that doesn’t serve sin. Now I’m not saying Christians don’t sin. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. I’m saying that it’s not a common practice that we seek after to perfect or abide in. Every time a believer sins, we essential revive the dead man which was our former lives. Which is why what we practice is dying to self and crucifying the flesh daily. Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. This is not meant to discourage anyone, only to hold us accountable for the things we say and do. 1 John 1: 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Letting Go, To Walk Away

There will always be temptation in front of us that has the potential to cause us to stumble. Yet that doesn’t mean that every time we are tempted we have to fall. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God allows satan to tempt us yet He puts limitations on the temptations in which satan is allowed to tempt. Not only so but God also provides a way out of the temptation so that we won’t stumble. Is that way always desirable? Perhaps not, reasons being because usually God’s way will cause us to have to give up something. That something may be pride. Look at this way; the path of escape is only designed for you and your ego is too big to fit. Therefore if you’re going to walk away from the temptation you may have to leave something behind.

Could this be you? Has God given you a way out and it seems too hard to walk away from your temptation. Maybe it’s only hard because you’re trying to keep what God wants you to let go of. Trust that whatever you are holding on too is not worth you dying for, simply let go.

Audience of One

We all have a part to play on this stage of life. No matter how big or small your role, regardless if in front of the curtain or behind the scenes you affect the entire production. Remember that our performance is not towards each other but for an audience of one, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

https://youtu.be/EFxVfAZj5Q0

Ministry begins at home

Ministry begins at home. Basic values and principles that our leaders are preaching our being overlooked for the fact that they are being preached but not demonstrated. If God has a calling on your life to preach the gospel, be sure that we are demonstrating the Word of God by being living sacrifices (examples) of His Word.

Revelation 3:15-16

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Simply put: Our spouses and children shouldn’t bear witness to one person 6 days a week and another Sunday morning. Be hot for God and not in between, teach those entrusted to us the Love of God and live it. 

Intimate Prayer

Luke 18:10-14

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

We have a tendency to not pray as often as we should because we feel that our lives are not adequate enough to even talk to God. Surely we think about all the sin in our lives before we initially pray and agree that God doesn’t want to talk to us. Thus we don’t and the feeling of the absence of His presence grows further and colder. Without regard one day we when we can go no further (which seemingly has been on our own) we cry out “God help me Please”. In that moment we realize God has never left. That His only desire was for you to see that no matter what, nothing can separate His Love towards you. Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Simply put: Sometimes the simplest prayers are the most intimate.

What does being bless mean to you?

What does being bless mean to you?

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

The Lord’s blessings rest on those who are faithful to Him. His blessings bring forth righteousness, prosperity, life and salvation.  In such things He increases, and makes one rich in Spirit. Against such there is no burden attached Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

To be blessed is to have God’s divine favor in operation in your life. Blessings are a direct reflection of God’s love towards His creation. What the world defines as luck, or by chance, we as believers know it to be God’s favor.

Simply put: Allow God’s favor in your life (His Blessing) to in turn produce Fruit. Be blessed and magnify the Lord.