Rejoice Always…

This concept can be foreign to many people during this day and time. What, some people may ask, do we have to rejoice over? The pandemic is happening, many people are out of work, it’s difficult to spend time with family during this time, and many people are experiencing economic problems in this season.

And yet, the scripture tells us to rejoice always (see Philippians 4:4). It can be a little challenging, depending on the situation. However, the command still stands: rejoice always. So what do we have to rejoice over? Let’s look to the Word of God:

We rejoice because we are clothed in garments of salvation. We rejoice because we are covered with a robe of righteousness. Salvation and righteousness are our portion in Christ and this is why we always rejoice.

We do not rejoice in our circumstances that are forever changing. We do not rejoice in our health that is always fleeting. We do not rejoice in a full bank account. Our rejoicing is for the Lord alone and what He has done for us.

Salvation leads us to Him. Righteousness is the right position for us as we live for the Lord. Our soul is most complete in Jesus. This is why we rejoice.

Maybe your holiday plans fell through. Maybe you have to celebrate without that beloved family member. Maybe your hours aren’t as plentiful due to restrictions associated with COVID. Friend, we still must rejoice. As hard as it may be, as challenging as it may feel-we must rejoice. We must rejoice in the Lord alone.

May we make this exhortation our posture forever: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

Peace and Blessings

The Power of Yes…

Yes can be life-changing.

We say “yes” to jobs, “yes” to relationships, and “yes” to those whom we love. Those agreements lead to careers, marriage, and connections. Saying yes can also lead to heartache, disappointment, and frustration.

No matter the reaction, saying yes can and will change your life.

However, when we agree with God’s will for our lives, that agreement with Him will impact our life here on Earth and in Heaven. Saying yes to the Lord will indeed change our lives. Saying yes to the Lord will move mountains. Saying yes to the Lord will break strongholds. Our yes will set us free.

The yes to the Lord is bigger than saying yes to that new job, yes to that man whom wants to marry you, and yes to your loved one who is seeking your support.

There is power in your agreement with God:

Saying yes with another believer in prayer produces a response from the Lord. Agreement yields peace, brings forth joy, and is a response of love. There is much power in yes…

Will you agree with God today? What promise has He been speaking over you? Will you receive that promise? What direction has He been telling you to go? Will you go in that direction?

Your yes to the Lord will change your life and those to whom you are connected. The yes you have for God will produce fruit that will extend beyond this lifetime. The Lord has said yes to us when He gave us His one and only Son whom is Jesus Christ. May we continuously be led to spending the rest of our lives saying yes to Him.

Peace and Blessings

Hidden Figures…

There is a common phrase that encourages folks to be their “authentic self “. Or perhaps you’ve heard about being true to “what” or “who” you are. Failing to do so presents yourself as a fake, phony, or imposter.

It can be nearly impossible to be true to who you are if there are hidden things in your life. These hidden figures have control over you and these hidden figures often times speak to where your devotions or commitments lie.

Sometimes the hidden figure can be a toxic relationship. Other times it could be sexual immorality. Hidden things can be unhealthy habits such as gambling or drug addiction. Hidden figures also can be vanity, social media, or pride.

Whatever you have placed in the dark will come to light and will eventually overpower your identity. As you stand before your enemies or adversary, your hidden figure can destroy your witness. It can be quite difficult to stand tall and be confident in yourself and most importantly in God Almighty when you are weighed down by the hidden figures of your life.

Let’s look to the Word of God for guidance:

Removing the hidden figures from your life isn’t about telling the world your business nor is it telling you to be perfect. Surrendering our hidden things gives the Lord the opportunity to work through us. Casting our hidden things before the Lord gives us the tools needed to defeat our enemies.

Eliminating your hidden figures gives you freedom. It gives place for your light to shine brighter. And it tells the world about your Savior, it gives Him the power! Whatever idols that are trying to take root in you will be destroyed as your surrender your hidden things!

So take the time to purify yourself, your home, your family, and your life. Remove the hidden figures and be free!

Peace and Blessings

It’s Not Over…

These certain feel like the end times, businesses are closed, certain states have closed schools until the end of the years, mass unemployment, mass illness, shortage of supplies—no wonder fear is creeping up in folks’ spirits.

Friends, may we fret not! It is not over! Each and every day we wake up and take a breath, we should be reminded that life is not over. After this is all said and done, a new normal will certainly be established, however, it is not over.

We as believers still have a duty and responsibility to minister to the lost. There are still folks out there that are discouraged, despondent, and downright scared. As long as there is breath in our bodies, we must preach the gospel. We must be the light that seems to be dimming quite rapidly.

Lawlessness, the love of many being made cold, wars, rumors of wars, false prophets, are all very present. Plagues, disease, false witnesses and the list goes on.

May we encourage you? Even in the midst of pain, destruction, and confusion, Jesus is present too. And He is greater.

Each time you witness, each time you choose love over hate, every time you opt to be peaceful–the Holy Spirit is demonstrating that He is also here and with us. So continue to do that which you were called to do.

Families can still be restored. The blood of Jesus still works. Ministries can still be birthed. Books still need to be written. Your mission and purpose is still needed.

It is not over, continue doing your good work…

Peace and Blessings

Eternal View.

How frequently do you view life in the light of eternity? This world will pass away. However, our actions, words, and behaviors will not. Your imprint leaves a legacy. Your actions can influence generations beyond you.

Eternity is in the Master’s hands and eternity rests in our human hearts.

We must consider our marriages and relationships in the light of eternity. We must consider our treatment of others in the light of eternity. We must consider our careers, our finances, our health-all in the light of eternity. But make no mistake about it, marriage does not lead to eternal life. Your loved ones are not your Savior. Your job, your bank account, and your good health does not cement your place in heaven.

If eternity is planted in our hearts (and it is), then our cares and concerns must be filtered through the lens of eternity.

Consider the woman with the issue of blood, her actions are etched into the Bible. Consider Rahab and her willingness to hide the spies, her bravery is cemented into eternity. Consider the woman who used expensive perfume and tears to wash Jesus’s feet, forever remembered.

Simply put: How you do, what you do, matters.

Peace and Blessings

Safety of Submission…

For some, this word is almost like a curse word. Have you ever uttered: “I’m not submitting to anyone!”? Or maybe you’ve heard how degrading, derogatory, or disrespectful submission is suppose to be. Or you’ve heard this phrase: “only dogs submit”.

Maybe people aren’t aware of what submission is or perhaps they are simply echoing the beliefs that others have articulated. Perhaps submission has been used in the improper context. Either way, submission gets a bad rap!

Recently on a podcast about marriage, submission was defined as “being under (sub) the mission of your spouse” (Melissa Fredericks). Whoa! What an simplified, yet powerful definition! That makes the concept of submission just a little more acceptable.

This understanding of submission applies to our relationship with God. Matter of fact, with Him is where submission starts! Before we can think about submitting to our husbands, we must begin with God.

Scripture makes this truth very clear.

Ladies, please do not let the world taint your perception of submission! In it’s proper context, it’s so beautiful! Its not about being a dog or being trampled over by someone. It’s about being under the mission, will, and protection of our Father. There is no other safest place to be!

When you are submitted to Him, you are victorious over the enemy. When you are in agreement with the mission of the Father, you understand why its important to submit to your husband and other authority figures (check out Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13-14, Ephesians 5:21-25). There are promises for you as you submit to God (1 Peter 5:6, Job 22:21). Most importantly, submission is the Father’s design for us!

So submit, therefore, yourselves to God. Let’s not allow the world to distort a concept that was handcrafted by the Creator Himself. Let’s not forget that Jesus, perfect in every way, submitted Himself to the Father. He’s the model, He’s the standard. Cry out that you are under the mission of God!

Say yes to the mission, will and purpose of the Father! Trust that His plan is perfect! Trust that He will protect you and keep you safe. Find safety in submission.

Peace and Blessings

And if not…

It goes without saying, God answers prayers. Those who are followers of Christ can probably give an account of the numerous times God has heard their cry, whether it was verbal or not. He has healed, He has saved, He has delivered! Hallelujah! We absolutely serve a great God! Rest assured, if He hasn’t given you a reason to shout, He most definitely will!

But let’s consider this:

Daniel 3 has us looking at the dilemma of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were being forced to bow down to an idol. They were not having it. Here is their powerful message to King Nebuchadnezzar in verses 17 and 18:

“If you throw us into the hot furnace, the God we serve can save us. And if he wants to, he can save us from your power. But even if God does not save us, we want you to know, King, that we refuse to serve your gods. We will not worship the gold idol you have set up.”
Daniel 3:17‭-‬18

What if God didn’t save them? What if He didnt restore your finances in the way you desired? What if He doesn’t heal that family member in the way you want? What if you don’t get married? Or have the baby? Is He still good?

Yes, He is still good!

We must have the level of boldness, trust and faith in our God as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Although we may declare it with fear and trembling, hoping, praying, and believing that God that will answer our prayer, we must be willing to shout that if God doesnt do it, whatever “it” may be for you, He is still good.

Our Father isnt a genie that only works when we are satisfied. A full belly and a full bank account does not shape God’s character and identity. He is more than the blessings He freely extends. He is bigger than the victory.

We cannot wait until He moves. We must rejoice, praise and shout right now. We pray our BIG prayers and operate with even BIGGER faith.

Because if not–if He doesnt move, if He doesnt answer, if He doesnt say “yes”–He is still good.

Peace and Blessings

The Other “g”…

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3 NKJV

This scripture is pretty cut and dry right? And we can imagine what other gods the Lord was speaking of right? Cars, clothes, money, and other material possessions that only have temporary value. We probably are hitting all of the checkmarks there, giving ourselves a good ole pat on the back for not falling for those material things. And we should! So many people fall on their knees for these things, especially that money god.

How about the not so material possessions? How about the spouse we prayed for? How about that child we prayed for? Our parents? Our siblings? Or what about that due date for that bill? Or what about that biological clock that you are reminded of every time you interact with children? How about that medical diagnosis?

Have we given those people and situations “god” status? Are they the object of our worship? Will the world end if we lose those things? Do we, with our actions, thoughts, and words, ask God to bow down to the spouse, kids and biological clock?

An honest and direct introspection by the Holy Spirit may be eye-opening relevation for us all. Perhaps, at one point or another, we have all fallen for one of those other gods. We are suppose to honor marriage. We must honor our parents. We have to care for our children. That medical diagnosis is important cause we want to live and not die. Is it wrong to desire a spouse, a child, or to have our bills paid on time? Absolutely not! God desires to freely to give us all things:

However, those things, people, and situations cannot become the objects of our worship. They do not deserve the place of our Heavenly Father. Love your babies, love your spouse, pursue healing, pursue financial freedom–the Lord wants for us to receive the desires of our hearts! However, He must be at the center of it all. Everything and everyone must rest under Him.

Give your marriage, children, and career to the Lord. Your healing is first found in Him alone. He is the Healer. Medical professions are here to confirm what He does by faith and in the supernatural. Give every obstacle to the One who overcame the world.

Let us be intentional about ensuring that our cares, concerns, calendars, and clocks all bow to Him.

Peace and Blessings