Your DREAMS and your DISCOMFORT go hand and hand.

Matthew 14:28-29

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Your DREAMS and your DISCOMFORT go hand and hand.

With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. So pursue Christ, embrace your discomfort, fulfill your dreams and walk on water.

Keep your eyes peeled

God has heard your prayers and He is not slow to answer. I promise you God is for you and not against you. Just keep in mind just how much higher are His way than our own. He is perfecting you for what it is you asked for. So that when you receive it, you will appreciate it all the more. Like honey to thy lips so shall victory be to your soul. Your blessing won’t come the way you expected but through the unexpected. If your reading this, and you’re unsure if the message is for you let me reassure you. YES IT IS. Start praising now cause your blessing will be here before you’ll have time to prepare for it.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.

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.

I got the hook up...

John 1:40-42

⁴⁰ One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

⁴¹ He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

⁴² And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

If we heard about a good deal on something, more than likely we would be eager to share with someone else about that deal. So that they too can reap the benefits especially someone close to us. Likewise if were going out to party and hangout we would want to go with friends likeminded. Those wanting to have fun like yourself. But if that be a truth, a logical way of thinking, then why don’t we share the good news about Christ? How often do we reject Christ when we fail to acknowledge Him in conversation? How often do we fail to acknowledge Him on our jobs or around our friends and family?

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

This is not a prompt to re-share, but encouragement for you to not be ashamed. Don’t be ashamed of your Love for God for your relationship with the Christ. 

To Die is to Gain

Philippians 1:21

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The pursuit of the tangible here in this life is no doubt inevitable. The pleasures and possessions of this world are geared and designed to attract your flesh, therefore appealing to your fleshly desires.

          Preachers are even preaching prosperity here in this life, as though money, house, and car is all that matters. I believe that true prosperity is living a life poured out for Christ. True prosperity has nothing to do with what you have gained in this life but what you were willing to do without.

          Paul says to live is Christ, as in to say life itself without purpose and meaning isn’t truly living. Walking in your purpose (the plan God has for YOU) is fulfillment in life, which is true living. To die is to gain, the more we sacrifice and abstain from the sinful desires of our flesh, the more we are able to gain of Jesus who is All Sufficient (EL SHADDAI).

Luke 9:23

 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The cross here symbolizes the sacrifice that is made in order to truly follow after that which is pleasing to God.If you truly desire to gain then die to your old life, old habits, old friends that aren’t really friends. Die to your insecurity’s; to you low self-esteem, to that doubt which clouds your faith. Die that you may gain all the more, Life.

1 Corinthians 15: 31

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily

Study, Pray and Practice.

The road ahead can be ruff. But there are a few simple things that we can do to ensure that we make it through.

1)     Study the Word: There is nothing like diving into scriptures and discovering new found revelation. God shows Himself more clearly to us when we seek Him. Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

2)   Pray for understanding: Because God is infinite, when we seek Him through His Word, we can become so overwhelmed with wisdom and knowledge that we can get discouraged by the vastness of Him which is El Elyon (The Most High God). Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

3)   Practice daily what the scriptures instructs and guides us to do: Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

If are already doing these things continue to do so. Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. If you haven’t been doing so declare this day a day for change. Say aloud “no longer will I be held captive in my mind to be slave to my circumstances, but I will mediate and observe to do all that is written in my Bible. Then shall I be prosperous, and then shall I have good success. In Jesus name we declare it so. Amen”

Didn't you miss me?

Encouraging song of the day: Ruben Studdard - Running Back To Youhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWd5JNgSLI4

For the most part I call my wife every day at work. I usually talk to her sometime during the morning just to say “good morning”, “How’s your day going” or “I miss you”. From there we will have a brief conversation and I’ll let her get back to work. Some days I won’t call just to see how long she will let the day go by before she reaches out to me. Of course when that happens she will call and say “you didn’t miss me”, and I would say “of course I did but did you miss me? I will purposely do this from time to time because I don’t won’t to feel like our relationship is one sided. I want to see that I’m on her mind just as much as she is on mine.

          Sometimes we feel like God has stopped calling us. Sometimes we feel like He has stopped being active in our lives. In those moments God is simply seeing if you feel the same way to. What if He did stop answering your prayers, what if He didn’t bless you with what you ask for? What if the thing which you desired God blessed somebody else with, would you still seek after Him? God doesn’t want a one-sided relationship He wants you to Love Him with all your heart and mind. Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Manna for thought: If ever you feel like God is absent in your life read this: Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 

The acknowledgement of error

Encouraging song of the day: Jesus - Shekinah Glory Ministry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sSzgJb5TUQ

The Word clearly illustrates that we should confess our sins. The reason for this is because through confession we acknowledge our need for Him. Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

          Confession is made unto salvation, when we openly confess responsibility of our actions or our faults/sin. Then can forgiveness be initiated and the healing process begins. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

          We often feel as though our faults/sins are meant only to be discussed or even brought up in the privacy of our prayer life. But if that be so why would the Word of God clearly tell us to confess to each other? James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another” When we expose the intimate secrets sins of our heart, the prayer of faith heals wounds that sin has inflicted.

Manna for thought: If you were shot by an arrow, before treatment to repair and mend, we first would have to acknowledge the arrow is even there (confession). Despite how obvious, you have to acknowledge it. Then allow God to remove the obstruction (Forgiveness of sin). From there we expose our faults to each other to prevent the infliction of the same sin/arrow.

But what about me? By Ms Alicia Richardson

I been meditating on this feeling of, “I’m always there for everyone else, but who has my back?”..... I said God fix this, Holy Spirit give me revelation on this thing. The enemy try to creep up and whisper in my ear, “but what about you?” Who is really there for you? The reply, no one.” The Holy Spirit had to reveal to me that the enemy want to deflect me to a selfish place to take my focus off of what God has called for my life. When you give you’re self to God, you understand that God comes 1st, others comes 2nd and yourself come last. I had to rebuke this thought that lingers so heavy in my life, as I know, to live for God, I have to give and give without question and anything in return.... point, blank and the period!
So, whats next....my corrective action to this feeling is to look deep into Jesus’s selfless and sacrificial act to die on the cross for our sins. The bible tells us in Isaiah 53:5 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. Jesus did not die on the cross for his family, his kids, a good friend or a pat on the back from society or his peers. He died on the cross for ALL men..... which includes people that you and I might think is not worthy. This is an example, set forth, for me to give to people or a circumstance.... that I might not understand why...and who am I to question, but what about me?
In Isaiah chapter 53 the bibles depicts “The Suffering Servant”, the holy spirit lead me to this reading. It was dropped in my spirit, to share this....be encouraged, don’t give into the feeling of “what about me”, but instead, be submissive to God’s word. Although, you may feel like “I’m tired of being used, no one appreciates me or acknowledges me.” Instead, take that feeling and energy and turn it into a praise for being a tool from God for someone else’s blessing. Humbly sacrifice yourself for others, be of help to people in silence to fulfill God’s will. At times you may feel like you have your own problems and oppressions, but through your obedience you will sow seeds into a bigger harvest... Amen! God is a giver and he never question what he is giving, what is his return, learn to bless people with your gifts...even if it’s a listening ear, encouraging words.....despite the fact of if you have “arrived” to own blessing or praise from others in the process. I find joy in my heart by helping people, therefore I do not need any reciprocated behaviors from anyone.....and tonight I rebuke the lies of the enemy...I will operate within my gifts of giving.
Manna for thought: “The destiny of servanthood to God is triumph even though it look like defeat, God’s way is not man’s way”

If you’re down, you can get back up! (By Ms Alicia Richardson)

The bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 3 For I passed on to you first of all what I also had received, that Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for our sins in accordance with [what] the Scriptures [foretold] 4 That He was buried, that He arose on the third day as the Scriptures foretold. Christ died for our sins and on the 3rd day he rose again. Christ rose up, so we can get back up!

The blood of Jesus have the power of life, peace and happiness. The things you are going through right now is God’s plan working out in your life...don’t try to fix it, explain it, hide it or justify it....just trust the power of the blood and allow God to carry out his plan for you.

The bible teaches us in the book of Jeremiah that God knew us before we were even in the womb, and how God have great plans for our future. The Lord wants to give us a good future, but God also wants the glory...so give thanks as you go through it, because your circumstance, right now, is just a stepping stone for a greater plan!

Your situation may have you feeling like you been depressed too long, you been addicted too long, you been holding on to the past for too long, you been dealing with low self-esteem for too long, or you been broke for too long.....but the bible tells us its all in the Lord’s plan. Jeremiah 29 10-11 10 For thus says the Lord, When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you and keep My good promise to you, causing you to return to this place.11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

These rough times may feel like you been in captivity in babylon for decades, years, months, days or hours. But there is good news....Christ rose up, so we can get up! If you’re down, you don’t have to stay down. The blood of Jesus has restorative and resurrective powers.....trust the power!

God plan is not to harm you. The Lord said he will bring you out! So get up and thank God for his grace to take that burden off of you, thank God for your peace that’s coming to you, thank God for your deliverance, thank God for your miraculous outcome and thank God for his perfect plan! Thank him in advance for your future filled with hope, prosperity and favor, as it is already yours.

So run, that ye may obtain

Encouraging song of the day: Kelonate Gavin- Singing I won't Complain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD-m3i7RJRg

Romans 7:22-24

²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

²⁴ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

I don’t know about you, but as for me I LOVE God, and I desire to do His will. But my flesh, my flesh has other plans. My flesh has desires to please itself. So in this verse of the scripture I completely understand Paul as he describes the constant battle to crucify his flesh and submit to the will of God. He goes even so far to describe it as war; “warring against the law of my mind”. The fight is that intense.

As a man of God I understand the pressure to meet the needs of others. Which really the pressure only exists as a result of my passion to be pleasing to God and to do as my Father would do. satan will often(in a desperate attempt to counteract a believers passion and deter his purpose) will utilize the spirit of confusion and doubt to create pressure to oppress us to the point of discouragement and ultimately giving up. Thus creating a battle within the war we fight against spiritual wickedness, principalities and powers. So if I could encourage you even if only for the moment, don’t give up. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Manna for thought: We are not without help in this spiritual warfare. We have the armour of God that we may be able to stand. Ephesians 6:10-11 ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Love and obedience.

Encouraging song of the day: Smokie Norful | No Greater Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgMKragDGUQ

Love and obedience.

Many of us serve God from the concept or from the principal of obedience. This usually happens from a new or young believer position but not limited to just them. Some have been saved a long time and still don't know what it means to Love God.  The reason being is because we have fashioned ourselves in the way of the world. We have come to learn the world’s perception of love but not the true Author of Love, God the Father. We have to really know a person before we can say we love them because logically we understand that love is the ultimate in a relationship verses like but we don't really understand the Love of God. So essentially we Love based on if we really like the person. If that be the case, how can we show love and compassion for our neighbor as we would for ourselves (as Mark 12:31) instructs us) if we 1^st have to like them? Somehow we have gotten this idea that there is the Love of Christ and then there is our love as though there can be two separate kinds. This is not so. There is only one kind of Love. The Love that was expressed and demonstrated on Calvary.

Manna for thought: I can’t tell you if your love for someone is adequate or not. Simply compare your love in contrast to God’s Love. See if it aligns and if it doesn’t then I guess you have your answer.

Don't hide (by Ms. Alicia Richardson)

Don't hide (by Ms. Alicia Richardson)

God knows the deepest issues of our hearts... And God has called favor on your life, in a specific capacity!!! Your gifts were provided at birth...in fact before birth...Amen!!!! The bibles says in Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou came forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

But, along the way we may experience bumps... But, I'm here to tell you, don't shy away from the plan GOD has ordered on your life! At times we might be in conflict with the spirit and flesh... Maybe sometimes we might operate out of flesh.....but in the midst, don't dim out the greater purpose, which, may very well be your calling! Call on God! Stay in the word and strengthen your spiritual man! Be diligent and disciplined!!!! Don't be dismayed by your flaws Isaiah 41:10: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

... But strengthen that area in which you lack! Don't know where to start??? Well... Be honest and stop hiding!!! Jeremiah 23: 24: Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? says the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? says the Lord.

Bring forth and confess your issues before the Lord and all else will follow! I am a true testament to this...

God have amazing things in store for you family! I must be honest... my biggest flaw was living in shame! But since I found God... I'm here to tell you....Shame the devil and confess your sins....Be renewed in his word! Ephesians 4:23: And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],

I'm Praying for each person reading this... Please don't live in darkness, but in light! Take each day as a blessing, and a learning experience...an opportunity to receive a little more on what the Lord has for us... Amen!!!!

Manna for thought:

God has a transformation forming in you.. Stop hiding, release and receive!!!! Amen!!

Triumph by way of weakness (By Ms. Alicia Richardson)

Triumph by way of weakness (By Ms. Alicia Richardson)

I woke up this morning, opened the blinds and windows to allow for the breeze and the sunlight to come in the house. In doing so, I just stopped and closed my eyes... what a beautiful morning I thought. As I was embracing the moment, God said to me, let me speak! You have been doing too much talking and not enough listening. God then lead me to my bible... to Judges Chapter 6. Lead by the spirt I began to read and immediately identified with Gideon.

You see, God called Gideon to save a nation, however Gideon was doubtful. Gideon felt like he did not fit the description as an harden soldier. He was fearful by the current situation of the land and he was weak in faith, in such a way, he asked the Lord for three signs to ensure it was indeed, the Lord, speaking to him. He felt like he was the youngest of his family and his family was the weakest of the tribe. Gideon felt like he just wasn't the right guy for the job. The lord sent his angel to ensure him that the lord was with him. Judges 6:12. The Angel of the Lord address Gideon: “ The Lord is with you mighty warrior”. After the Lord confirmed three times, Gideon became obedient and lead a whole nation to triumph!

It was dropped in my spirt to encourage each of us that GOD can turn weakness into triumph! It’s often that GOD calls on ordinary people, people who is weak or timid to help carry out his will. We all get fearful that we aren’t worthy enough or strong enough to be called on by GOD. Sometimes our current situations around us may make us doubtful in hearing GOD and believing....But the lord see positive potential in everyone.

Manna for thought:

Stop and listen when the Lord is speaking, be obedient and receive your blessings and triumph that is in store for you!