faith – Page 84 – Godinterest

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

Quit Spiritual Procrastination

Last night, while in Lille, I was talking about spiritual procrastination, and the danger of not taking God-given opportunities, and not using our spiritual gifts. God will never ask you to do something without giving you the ability to do it. You may get passive or complacent and think, “yes, I know I need to do that. Maybe next week.” Well, before you know it next week turns into next month. Next month turns into next year.

Remember, when you put off what God has told us to do, you miss that season of grace. But if you’ll deal with things as soon as God brings them to light, you’ll have a special grace, a special empowerment. You’ll feel God’s enabling power helping you to do it, and you will avoid many trials and pitfalls.

Today, is there something you’re putting off? Something you know in your heart that you are supposed to do? Don’t let the season pass. Don’t let complacency destroy you. Your destiny stands before you. God has something amazing for your future. Be bold; be strong. Step out in faith, be obedient, and embrace the good things God has in store for you!

“For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.”
(Proverbs 1:32, NKJV)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, thank You for the grace to do and enjoy exactly what You’ve called me to do. Father, I will step out in faith and not procrastinate and miss out on my God-given opportunity. God, I will follow Your commands. Help me to be faithful like You are faithful. I love You and bless You today and always, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

June 1, 2019June 1, 2019

How Much Does Your Life Cost?

Worth.

It’s such a powerful thing. The word is used to indicate how valuable something is, usually the value of an expensive car or your dream house. But also, commonly, it is used to describe a person’s life. We are constantly yearning and seeking to be worth something to someone else. In society, we are constantly told to live your life, your way – your worth being meaningful only to yourself. But you are worth more than anything to a guy called Jesus…

One inspirational woman who I have had the honour of seeing her legacy left behind, has been Lilias Falconer. The Falconer home has a special place in my heart and my family’s hearts, and I’m sure I’ve touched on this subject before in a previous blog. I got the amazing opportunity to visit this amazing orphanage a few years ago in Zambia. But this woman clearly showed why Jesus is worth it all! Lilias was born in 1915 in my home town, Manchester, and at the age of 15 she was telling her family that the call on her life was to go to Africa and to look after babies and children. For her to fulfil this mission, she applied for medical training to train as a nurse. All these applications were refused. In 1939, at the start of World War II, she was accepted into nursing training with the Salvation Army, and after a course in tropical medicine she travelled to Africa to a leper hospital in Zambia. There she saw the plight of little babies left to die when their mothers passed during childbirth. From this, she agreed to look after one baby but soon five babies were brought to her and one her own, she went further into the bus, establishing her Children’s home and Orphanage in the small village of Kabulamema. She died in 1998, and her grave is situated behind the house, in a beautiful lone building, signifying a constant connection to her work. This is a woman who gave up her whole life for Jesus.

The “Waste” of Expensive Perfume

The work of missionaries and people who give up their ordinary lives for extraordinary lives reminds me of a story from the Bible that shows us why Jesus is worth it all…

Clutching the jar tightly in her hands, the woman stood in the doorway and looked into the room. Her heart beat intensely. Her eyes darted back and forth. Her anxiety was at its peak. The room was packed with me, most of them who knew her for the job she did. A prostitute. She consider running away. At that moment, she saw Him. Everything else vanished, the world stopped. Nothing mattered anymore. Running into the room, she fell to the ground, tears forming in her eyes. Breaking her jar open, she poured the expensive perfume in it all over the man’s feet. She loved Him. She was a sinner. But this man, this Jesus, had shown her forgiveness. Everyone else stared at this random woman, shocked by her actions.

“Why have you wasted all that? You could have sold it it and given it to the poor,” the disciples shouted. Then Jesus spoke above the fuss, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done something beautiful for me. You won’t always have me, but you’ll always have the poor. This woman is preparing me for my burial. Listen to me, when the gospel is preached, the memory of her will also be told.” (Matthew 26.6-13).

The Reaction

Imagine if you were one of the disciples. Would you have been angry at the woman? She would have wasted perfume that had cost millions of pounds. But then again, much like the woman in the story, how do we respond to the story of Lilias Falconer? Too often we would respond as the disciples did. When we hear about people giving up their lives in rich, western countries to honour and serve God, we question their choices. Too often we see it as a waste of potential. We may never say it in words but in reality, we are asking the same question the disciples asked, “Why this waste?”

As Christians, we are taught to present our lives as living sacrifices, demonstrating God’s perfect will. Many people, and many Christians, would say if you presented your life in such a way, that you would be vulnerable to the devil and forces of evil. But Paul in Philippians 4.19, clearly states:

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

So, in answer to How Much Does Your Life Cost? I think it costs an infinite amount. We have worth because one man spent His worth for our all and so it is never a waste to give Jesus anything. And looking at it this way; it is our only reasonable response.

Thanks for reading.

Don’t Fear, Only Believe

Photo credits – unsplash.com

June 1, 2019June 24, 2019

Growing numbers of parents are taking a stand against moves to impose lessons on LGBT issues on primary school children

Protesters against LGBT teaching at a primary school have been banned from gathering outside the gates of Anderton Park Primary School by a High Court injunction which was granted on the basis that the risk to children became “too serious to tolerate”. Birmingham City Council said the behaviour of demonstrators was “increasingly unacceptable” and that they pursued the injunction in order to protect staff and pupils when they return from their half-term break on Monday.

After months of demonstrations outside Anderton Park Primary School Birmingham City Council decided to pursue the legal action. The Council leader Ian Ward said “common sense had prevailed”.

The school had to close early before half-term due to escalating action.

The council said it sought the urgent injunction after the risk to children became “too serious to tolerate”.
Birmingham City Council

Protests have been held outside Anderton Park School for several weeks

Nazir Afzal who is in charge of steering talks between the council, parents and teachers, told Sky News that six weeks of discussions have been unsuccessful.

Protesters were not made aware of the High Court application but told the BBC they still intended to gather next week on a street further away from the school.

How did it all begin?

No outsiders in Our School Teaching the Equality Act In Primary Schools, by Andrew Moffat

The No Outsiders project was the brainchild of Andrew Moffat, assistant head teacher at Parkfield Community School in Birmingham and based on a book written by headteacher Andrew Moffat.

In an attempt to teach equality amongst children in school irrespective of gender, sex, race or religion. The project aim was to change attitudes towards South Asian and Muslim homosexuality by teaching children about the Equality Act 2010 and British values. He also wanted pupils to “be proud of who they are while recognising and celebrating difference and diversity”.

When did controversy begin to unfold?

The Government intends to introduce compulsory Relationships Education at primary school level from 2020, which will teach children as young as five about “different types” of families.

Parents at seven primary schools in Greater Manchester have contacted school management to complain about proposed LGBT lessons.

In January this year a parent whose child attends Parkfield school raised a petition, claiming the teaching contradicted the Islamic faith.

How did the school respond to the growing anger?

The No Outsiders lessons were paused to allow teachers to “re-engage with our parents”, Mr Moffat said.

What do education chiefs say?

Ofsted has backed the No Outsiders programme, with its chief inspector Amanda Spielman saying all children must learn about same-sex couples regardless of their religious background.

Respecting parents

The Christian Institute’s Education Officer John Denning said respecting parents is “essential”.

“The protests reflect the lack of confidence parents have that schools are observing the proper boundaries of their role.

“The law is clear that teachers must respect the range of views amongst parents and not undermine them with one-sided propaganda.”

“It is being justified by claiming that it is required by the Equality Act, but the Act is explicit that it does not apply to the school curriculum.”

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019

Armed With Strength For Every Battle

You have the ideas, the creativity and talent to be successful. You can overcome any obstacle through Christ. God has equipped you with everything you need to fulfil your destiny through His Word. That means you are well able to do what He has called you to do. You can accomplish your goals. You can fulfil your dreams! You’ve been armed with strength for every battle.

Friend, God is also working on your behalf. He has already gone ahead of you and lined up the right relationships and the right opportunities. You have everything you need to live the miraculous, victorious life God created you to live!

Today, if you’ll stay in faith, it’s just a matter of time; victory is on its way. Don’t settle where you are. Don’t have a weak, defeated mentality. Have the attitude, “I am anointed. I can accomplish my dreams. I can overcome any obstacle. I am empowered by the Creator, and I am thoroughly equipped for every good work that God has called me to do!”

“Every Scripture is God-breathed”¦so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17, AMPC)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for equipping me for success. Father, I thank You for empowering me by faith. I know that through You I can overcome every obstacle. Help me to stay focused on Your Word and Your plan for my life. God, please help me to walk in Your anointing, so that I can do all You’ve called me to do. I bless You today, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019

The Understory

As I was assisting in the 3’s class in the childcare center where I work, I listened intently as the teacher spoke of the Rainforest layers. I was intrigued by the names of each layer of the Rainforest. The Canopy is the uppermost layer where all the trees grow tall and form an umbrella or canopy like layer over the rest of the rainforest. Most living things live in this layer. The second layer is known as The Understory, and this layer receives very little light, so the leaves of the plants in this place are wider in order to absorb as much sunlight as possible as it filters down. Most plants at this level are stunted and grow no taller than 12 feet high.They are sometimes all tangled up in each other from reaching out further and further looking for more light.The Forest floor is the final layer, and this is sparsely vegetated. This is the place where everything that dies above, drops to the ground and decays; providing much needed nutrients to the rest of the Rainforests inhabitants.

Now I tell you all this, because I was so struck by how similar we are to the Rainforest layers. Most people only see our Canopies, our outermost layers, where most of the activity of our lives happen. But we all have Understories, deeper layers where some things are tangled up, and we are reaching out, seeking light for those dark places of pain and confusion. And each of us has a forest floor, where the dead things in our lives fall to the ground and decay into nutrients for the rest of our lives. I believe this is part of why Jesus speaks to us and says,

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
John 12:24-25

So, tread gently, dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Tread kindly as we may not know the Understories of other people’s lives. Do not be too quick to judge or think you know the “Why?” to the lives of those around you.Only God knows the reasons why we are where we are, or how to set us free at this level. The Understory of each person is a very sensitive place. God will choose the things that need to die and drop to the lower levels where He can break them down and use them to bring Glory to Himself. He “prunes” our branches so we may bear more fruit. (John 15) I have found that He is using those weak places, those things that I thought no one should be allowed to see, My faults, failures, mistakes and wounds.He is the Master of my Understory.He is the Master of yours, so trust Him to do His work in those deeper places in your life. And tread gently as you begin to see the Understories in the lives of others.

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019

The Tree of Life

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 1?(NIV)

Reflection
Have you ever noticed the prominent role that trees play in the Bible? The creation account in Genesis begins with God planting two very special trees in the Garden of Eden: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. After our first parent’s disobedience, we were banned from access the Tree of Life. But the amazing, good news of the Bible is that at the end of the book, in the last chapter of the Book of Revelation, God restores our access to the Tree of Life (Revelations 22:1-5).

In a very real sense the Bible is a story about trees.

Here in the very first Psalm, the life of the righteous is compared to a fruit-bearing tree, flourishing by streams of water. The psalmist presents a picture of tranquil beauty. Is that a picture of my life, or am I caught up in busyness? Sometimes I feel more like windblown chaff–rather worthless and lacking a sense of direction.

But that’s where the other tree at the heart of the Bible comes into play. It stands on a hill called Calvary. There my Saviour bled and died. There he showed me my true worth. There my sins were washed away, never to be remembered again. That’s where I became righteous, not by works that I had done, but by the grace and forgiveness of Christ.

What a beautiful tree! The tree on Mount Calvary isn’t tbeautiful because of its leaves. It’s beautiful because of its fruit–the fruit of redemption purchased by the blood of Jesus. My righteousness is solely due to him.

Response: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. Help me to always remember that you are the true source of my righteousness. At your prompting help me to rid myself of the worthless chaff in my life. Wind of God, blow on me. Water of life, refresh my soul. May I be fruitful, Lord, for you. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you knelt before the tree on Mount Calvary?

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019

The Connection Between God And Out Of Body Experiences

An out of body experience can be a life changing event that awakens the soul to the presence of God. With a large 10% of the population having experienced the phenomenon during the course of their lives, it can be especially transformative for Christians in bringing them closer to their faith. When on a quest for spiritual enlightenment and substance in living a meaningful life in the eyes of God, an out of body experience can provide a conversation with God, or even gain clarity on the direction your life should take. Many Christians who have spoken about their out of body experience have expressed the fact that their journey was made clear after their soul momentarily left their body, and their return to life was more fulfilled than ever before.

The Spiritual Science Behind It

An out of body experience occurs when a person’s consciousness is temporarily detached from the physical body and then travels or moves outside of the body. Quite often, it is referred to as the soul leaving the body. Out of body experiences are also referred to as astral projection, and have long been studied as being the most spiritual and religious experience you can embark upon in your life on earth. As taught in 2 Corinthians 5:8, We are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. These experiences explicitly bring you closer to God, and it is encouraged in the bible in order to be more present with the Lord. Once your soul has returned to your physical body, a deeper consciousness is reached, having been closer to the spiritual world and the afterlife than ever before.

Differences In Out Of Body Experiences

Separating yourself from your physical body can occur in a few different ways. Spontaneous out of body experiences occur either when you are sleeping, or are very close to sleep, and can sometimes appear at first as very lucid dreaming. A floating sensation will usually accompany this type, and you are still able to dictate movements and speech. Near death experiences can trigger an out of body experience, and these are the experiences that can truly bring you closer to God and change your life. The apostle Paul referred to this state as the third heaven, because of its proximity to the afterlife and ability to reach the Lord while still being physically on earth. When death is close, such as in a car accident, near drowning, or in surgery, the soul can temporarily leave the body and have experiences with both God, or deceased loved ones, before returning down to resume the physical life with a memory of the events.

Experiencing an authentic separation of the soul from the physical body will undoubtedly bring you closer to God and enhance your faithful journey. A higher state of spiritual being can be attained and a deeper love and understanding of life will encourage you to carry on fulfilling your best Christian life.

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019

Evil People – Pay Them No Mind

Have you had folk come against you, make fun of you and rip your name to shreds? King Saul in the Bible had people come against him. They were making fun of him. He could have easily become distracted and lost his focus. He could have defended himself saying, “I’m the leader. I have what it takes.” But what did he do? He kept silent. One translation says, “He paid them no mind.”

In my life I have had to deal with those naysayers in and out of the church, but I had to stay focused and pay them no mind. Sometimes that’s what you have to do when people are coming against you. You have to realise that some people are just jealous or driven by the enemy. Not everyone is going to have your best interests at heart. But don’t let them control your destiny. Don’t let them distract you from God’s best.

Today, instead of playing up to people or trying to win over all your critics, gossipers and evil surmises, keep your eyes focused on what God has for you. Spend time with people who see what God is doing in you. Focus on those who will celebrate you. Ignore those critics so you can be all that God has called you to be. Hallelujah!

“But some scoundrels said, ‘how can this fellow save us?’ They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.”
(1 Samuel 10:27, NIV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I keep my heart and mind focused on You no matter what is said about me. Father, I will ignore the naysayers, gossipers and evil surmises and turn away from negative voices. God, I declare by faith that I will accomplish the plan You have for me, as I daily put Your voice and will first in everything that I do, in Jesus’ Name! Amen

May 29, 2019May 29, 2019

I’ll Give My Life To Jesus After I’ve Lived My Life

Time is something that we have no control over. We can use it well or waste it, but we cannot get it back. Many people believe that they have all the time in the world to live their lives the way that they want to, and as long as they are good people, then things are going to be all right. We see the smaller picture, what is in front of us, but we fail to see the bigger picture. There is an unseen battle going on around us every day, and time is certainly on no one’s side.

There are times when I have spoken to people about Jesus, and they have readily believed in Him, but were unwilling to give their lives to Him just yet. They still wanted to live their lives their way and felt that Jesus would ‘stifle their vibe’. I have listened to them give me a bunch of reasons as to why they cannot come to Jesus yet, and these are the main ones:

I still want to have fun!
That life sounds too difficult for me.
I don’t like being religious.
I’m still too young for that kind of commitment.
I have too many things that I want to accomplish before being born again.

No amount of Truth or explaining will sway their opinion because of one significant factor: repentance. You see, you can believe, but if you are not willing to turn away from your sins, then you are not willing to repent. A person can be aware that they are sinning, but if there is no conviction within them to help them understand the terrible situation they are in, then repentance is not about to happen.

Of course, some people do not believe that they are bad people. However, what do they mean by ‘bad’? We all have a conscience which tells us right from wrong, but when we begin to rate how bad our actions are instead of acknowledging that they are a sin, we are in trouble. We all know, or should know, that it is wrong to steal, kill, look at a woman or man with lust, covet someone else’s belongings, to lie, and the list goes on. Whether or not a person is aware of the Ten Commandments, our conscience is innately aware of moral values. Obviously, as we grow older and get away with these sins, we begin to justify them more and more, giving evidence to our depraved state of mind.

I guarantee you that there is not a soul alive that has not committed one or more of these sins. It does not matter how socially accepted the sins are or how many times you get away with it, GOD will judge us according to the sins we have committed. Once we are judged and found guilty (which is a definite), we will be thrown into the fiery lakes of hell. It is only belief and repentance that will save us, and even then we need to remain steadfast in our faith because the devil doesn’t mess around, he’s out for our souls.

Think of it this way: when you stand before a judge for a crime you have committed, he is going to judge you on the offence, not on how good you believe you are. No amount of giving to the poor is going to take away the fact that you stole from your boss. According to Scripture, when we go against what GOD has stated in His Word, then we have sinned- there are no two ways about it.

People say to Jesus ‘not right now’, having no idea if they will live to see another day. When they stand before GOD to give an explanation for their failure to come to Him, the excuse ‘but I do believe in you LORD, and I’m a good person’ is not going to cut it. Even the demons know that He Is and they are terrified of Him. They fully understand what He is capable of. In the futility of our minds, we fail to recognise just who Jesus is, thinking that His love is going to let us get a pass into heaven. Yes, GOD’S love for us was demonstrated in the fact that He sent His only Son to die for our sins, that if we believe in Him, we will be saved. But if you are not going to come to Him with repentance in your heart for your sinful ways, then you do not understand His sacrifice.

Yes, our lives as Christians are not easy. We face trials and tribulations because our enemy, the devil, hates us. He hates mankind already, but he truly loathes Christians because we have the power of Christ within us. However, we must give our lives to Christ so that we may have life, we must put Him before everything else in our lives or else we are not worthy of Him. At the end of the day, we are either going to spend eternity with our King and Saviour, or an eternity in hell with endless suffering. Stop looking at your life and focus on Jesus, or you might as well not have a life.

May 29, 2019January 15, 2024

The chosen one – Millions of Americans Believe God Made Trump President

Two years into Trump’s tumultuous presidency, evangelical Christians remain some of his most loyal supporters.

A pastor recently stated on a popular evangelical Christian TV show that he interceded on behalf of Donald Trump to get him elected as president of the United States–and that those busy at work trying to get him removed are “fighting against God.”

He said: “We stood in the courts of heaven, in the council of the Lord, and in that council, God told me to make a decree out of James 1:11, which is, ‘All flesh is as grass, and flower is as the glory of the grass.’

On the Jim Bakker Show, Robert Henderson said that he had a prophetic dream in March 2016 in which Trump asked him to promote his presidential campaign in heaven he said, to cheers from the studio audience and a cry of “wow” from the host.

“We did that and that’s exactly what happened.”

Henderson was promoting his book Prayers and Declarations that Open the Courts of Heaven, which was advertised during the segment.

“We did that and that’s exactly what happened,” he said, to cheers from the studio audience and a cry of “wow” from the host.

Henderson was promoting his book Prayers and Declarations that Open the Courts of Heaven, which was advertised during the segment and retails for $25. It comes with a three-lesson DVD set.

Its mission statement describes how it the church “must become the government God intended instead of just a place of meeting needs,” and that nations should “shift from their present state into a kingdom culture.”RELATED STORIES

White Evangelicals Are Still the Heart of Trump’s Base

Trump has been a divisive figure within the evangelical community, with some prominent evangelicals – like Jerry Falwell, Jr., the president of Liberty University – staunchly defending Trump and his policies. A recent Pew Research poll found that 69 percent of white evangelicals supported him. This figure has been as high as 80 percent during his presidency. Others still, like Beth Moore, who has a large following of mostly female evangelicals have openly oppose Trump. And some leaders, like Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback megachurch in Orange County, California, which serves more than 20,000 congregants on a weekly basis, have expressed mixed feelings about Trump.

Donald Trump Facts

His full name is Donald John Trump.
Donald Trump is 72 years old, he was born on 14^th June 1946 in New York City, New York.
He has been married three times. First to Ivana Zelnickova from 1977-1991, then to Marla Maples from 1993-1999, and Melania Knauss from 2005 to present.
He is the second youngest of five children.
Trump does not smoke nor drink. The death of a sibling, his older brother Red Jr., urged Donald toward these decisions.
He is of German and Scottish ancestry.
Trump’s family fortune began when his grandfather Frederick Trump pulled in a fortune by operating restaurants and boarding houses in the boom towns of Seattle and Klondike, Canada.
He attended the New York Military Academy aka NYMA to whom he credits much of his success to.
Trump attended Fordham University, Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated Wharton in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.
Trump avoided being drafted into the military by getting four student deferments. After being determined twice to be fit for duty, he got a 1-Y medical deferment in October of 1968. Then in December 1969 he received a high placement number in the draft lottery that exempted him from service.
His first real estate venture was with his family’s company, Elizabeth Trump and Son, where he was given control of in 1971 and renamed it The Trump Organization. The project ended up in controversy when the Justice Department in 1973 accused the company of discrimination against Blacks. Admitting no wrongdoing, an agreement between the company and DOJ was struck to resolve the issue.
Donald Trump made his bones, or made his first really big real estate deal happened in Manhattan with the remodeling of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in 1978.
His signature base of operations, Trump Tower, was completed in 1983.
Trump has never filed for personal bankruptcy, but six times he’s filed for bankruptcy for his business properties between 1991 and 2009.
Donald Trump owns and operates around 18 golf courses around the world.
At one time, Trump was part owner of three major beauty pageants, from 1996-2015 he partly owned Miss Universe, Miss USA & Miss Teen USA.
From 2005 until 2010, Trump owned and ran the Trump University LLC, where his courses covered real estate training.Report this ad
He once ran the Donald J. Trump Foundation established in 1988, but was shut down by the NY State Attorney General’s office in 2013 for multiple violations.
Trump became an executive producer of the reality show hit, The Apprenticefrom 2003 until present. The show has been on hiatus due to his presidential run.
Donald is a WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment fan.
He has five children from three of his marriages. Three children from his first marriage to Ivana Trump, Donald Jr, Ivanka and. From Trump’s third wife, he has a daughter called Tiffany. His fifth child was born on 20^th March 2006, a boy named Barron.
Donald Trump has eight grandchildren.
As of November 2016 his net worth is $3.7 billion.
Donald Trump won the Republican nomination for President of the United States on 19^th July 2016.
He became the 45^th President of the United States on 9^th November 2016.

May 29, 2019May 29, 2019

People Pleasing – A Dangerous Lifestyle

While talking to some youth yesterday, I realised an important truth – people pleasing is alive and well. From fashion, to language and everything in between, there will always be people who try to squeeze you into their mould; people who try to pressure you into being who they want you to be. They may be good people. They may mean well. But the problem is that they aren’t your creator. They didn’t breathe life into you. They didn’t equip you, empower you or anoint you; Almighty God did!

If you’re going to be all that God created you to be, you can’t focus on what everybody else thinks. If you change with every criticism, trying to win the favour of others, then you’ll go through life being manipulated, and letting people squeeze you into their box. You have to realise that you can’t keep every person happy. You can’t make everyone like you. You’ll never win over all of your critics.

Today, instead of trying to please people, when you get up in the morning, ask the Lord to search your heart. Ask Him if your ways are pleasing to Him. Stay focused on your goals. If people don’t understand you, that’s okay. If you lose some friends because you wouldn’t let them control you, they weren’t true friends anyway. You don’t need others’ approval; you only need Almighty God’s approval. Keep your heart and mind submitted to Him, and you will be free from people pleasing!

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.”
(Proverbs 29:25, NLT)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I come humbly to You today. I invite You to search my heart and mind. Let my ways be pleasing to You. Father, take away my need for people’s approval. Let my thoughts be Your thoughts and not the thoughts of a corrupt man. God, thank You for setting me free from people pleasing, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

May 29, 2019May 29, 2019

Kissing the Son

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together
against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
“Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.
Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
You will break them with a rod of; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.
Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 2?(NIV)

Reflection

Kisses are so close-up and personal, so intimate. I don’t know about you, but I don’t kiss everyone I meet. Kisses are reserved for those special people in my life–people I know and trust–people I love.

Here in Psalm 2, kings and rulers are commanded to kiss the Son of God. What an odd command? What is the significance of this? The kiss in this case signals full submission to the supreme potentate. Kings and rulers are to submit to the overarching rule of Christ over themselves, their affairs and their entire domain.

Psalm 2 is the first of several messianic psalms scattered throughout the Book of Psalms. There is nothing subtle about the messianic message found here. The LORD has installed His anointed as king in Zion and furthermore this anointed one is identified as the Son of God. The term the LORD’s “anointed” is frequently translated as Messiah or Christ.

In the Book of Acts, we see the apostles viewed this psalm as the prophetic fulfillment of Christ’s mission during his last days in Jerusalem. The anointed Son of God was rejected by Herod and Pilate, the rulers of that time. They refused to kiss the Son. See Acts 4:23-31.

But what about me? Have I kissed the Son? Have I submitted to his will for my life? In my own small way, I too am a monarch, a ruler of my own domain. Today, will I allow him to rule over me, my conduct, my activities, and my financial affairs?

Response:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your unconditional love. You want only the best for me. I yield to you. Help me to embrace your will and purpose for my life. I trust in you. I love you, Lord. With my lips I kiss the Son. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you kissed the Son? How can you show your love and loyalty to Jesus today?

May 29, 2019May 29, 2019

You are not insignificant!

God’s Banqueting table on this Earth is a lot like a Potluck. Everyone of God brings something to the table. All we have to do is listen, and “taste and see,” if it’s good or not. If someone brings (spiritual food) that is not good, we will soon know it!

We need to get past the mind-set that only pastors, or big name preachers, or “certain people’ prepare God’s food!

“He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love.”
Song of solomon 2:4?

When People say they have “no need of you” and you are God’s representative, it’s often their loss, and not an indicator that you have been disapproved by God. Keep Pressing on! God loves you, he is so proud of you- when you put your heart and soul into something for him! He’s always watching!

May 28, 2019May 28, 2019

Heavy And Dripping

In this graduation season, many across the world can’t help but focus on the African American billionaire who paid off the entire graduating class of 2019 student loans. Millions of dollars. Oh how we forget to give God at least the same praise or more, because He gives favour to millions daily. Today’s verse doesn’t say that the glory or favour of the Lord is going to come on you at graduation, or when the economy gets better. No, it says God’s glory is already on you! Hallelujah!

In context the word “glory” in the original language indicates that God’s favour, blessing and splendour is on you in a heavy way. It’s something that is tangible and has weight. Think about it this way: you are not weak; you are heavy with God’s favour. Furthermore You are dripping with God’s goodness. Your attitude should be, “there’s no telling what’s in my future! I am weighted down, not with burdens, not with problems. I am weighted down with the favour of God.” That’s the good news.

Today, when you really understand that you are heavy and dripping with God’s favour, then it’s easy to be heavy and dripping with expectation. It’s easy to believe for big things when you know God has favoured you in a big way. It’s time for you to arise. It’s time for you to shine. Let that sink down into your spirit today, because it’s time for you to arise and shine because His glory, His favour is heavy and dripping upon you!

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I come to You today with an open and humble heart. I know that Your glory is upon me. I receive Your enormous never ending favour. Father, I thank You for all You have done and will do in my life. God, I thank You for Your anointing power which breaks every yoke, and moves me into freedom and blessing, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

May 27, 2019May 27, 2019

God Doesn’t Make No Junk

Fred Hammond the great gospel singer once wrote a song saying he will dance like David danced, but for me I don’t want to necessarily dance like David danced. I want to say what David said in Psalm 139:

“I’m God’s masterpiece. I’m wonderfully made. I’m talented. I’m original. God has given me everything that I need.”

David praised God for making him in an amazing way, and declared that what God had done was awesome. Is that how you start your day?

I’ve met many people who think they are being humble by putting themselves down. They say, “oh, I’m not that talented. It was no big deal.” But really, we should be bold like David and say, “I’m amazing. I’m a masterpiece. God made me, and He doesn’t make junk! I am equipped, I am empowered, and I am talented!”

Today, please make the decision to stop putting yourself down; stop focusing on your flaws and comparing yourself to others. Your Creator says “you are a masterpiece.” It’s time to get in agreement with God and realise how much He loves you. It’s time to realise how special you are. Make the shift by changing your words and daily say what David said!

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14, NIV)
(Psalm 139:14, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for equipping me for every good work. Thank You for showing me Your love in a new way, as I keep my heart and mind focused on You. Please give me the boldness and spiritual confidence so I wont put myself and others down. Father, teach me how to love myself, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

May 25, 2019May 6, 2022

THE PRAYER THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

The freedom to build. The freedom to change. The freedom to share.

There are two kinds of prayer – the prayer of form and the prayer of faith. The repetition of set and the customary phrases when the heart feels no need of God, is formal prayer.

We should be extremely careful in all our prayers to speak the wants of the heart and to say only what we actually mean. All the flowery words at our command are not equivalent to one holy desire. The most eloquent prayers are but vain repetitions if they do not express the true sentiments of the heart. But the prayer that comes from an earnest heart, when the simple wants of the soul are expressed just as we would ask an earthly friend for help, expecting that it would be granted – this is the prayer of faith.

The publican who went up to the temple to pray is a good example of a sincere, devoted worshiper. He felt that he was a sinner, and his great need led to an outburst of passionate desire,

“God be merciful to me a sinner.”
Luke 18:13

After we have offered our petitions, we are to answer them ourselves as far as possible, and not wait for God to do for us what we can do for ourselves. The help of God is held in reserve for all who demand it. Divine help is to be combined with human effort, aspiration, and energy. But we cannot reach the battlements of heaven without climbing for ourselves. We cannot be borne up by the prayers of others when we ourselves neglect to pray; for God has made no such provision for us.

The unlovely traits in our characters are not removed, and replaced by traits that are pure and lovely, without some effort on our part!

In our efforts to follow the copy set us by our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall make crooked lines. Yet let us not cease our efforts. Temporary failure should make us lean more heavily on Christ.

The more you pray, the more you will find to pray about, and the more you’ll be led to pray for others.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12, 13

Pray With Me
Heavenly Father, I look up to you in this time of change. Allow me to have the courage to change my life for the better. Allow all my burdens to be risen up to you as I know that You will see me through. Forgive those who have done evil and allow me to do the same. Teach me to love with an open heart and open spirit. Take time for me today to help with all the trials you have set out for me and allow me the strength and energy to follow you. Give me the blessings to find a new home, keep my family together, and bless those who are away, may they be strong and know how much love is out there. Let them know you and I are thinking of them and missing them dearly. Bless me with love, strength, wisdom, health, courage, forgiveness, and a willingness to learn.

Did you know?

Here are five facts about prayer, including survey data on Americans’ prayer habits and historical instances of prayer intersecting with the government:

A Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2014 found that 45% of Americans — and a majority of Christians (55%) — say they rely a lot on prayer and personal religious reflection when making major life decisions. The same survey found that 63% of Christians in the U.S. say praying regularly is an essential part of their Christian identity.
In 2014 — in the case Town of Greece v. Galloway — the Supreme Court ruled that U.S. legislative and administrative bodies may begin their sessions with a prayer. On some occasions, however, the high court has rejected other types of state-sponsored prayer. For instance, in 1962’s Engel v. Vitale, the court famously struck down a policy requiring public school students to begin their day with a nonsectarian prayer.
The National Day of Prayer was enacted in 1952 by the Congress and President Harry S. Truman. As with the addition of “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954, the move came during the Cold War and was seen as a way of contrasting the more religious United States with the officially atheistic Soviet Union.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation unsuccessfully challenged the National Day of Prayer in court. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2011 that the group, which aims to promote the separation of church and state, did not have legal standing to challenge the law.
For many Americans, every day is a day of prayer. More than half (55%) of Americans say they pray every day, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center survey, while 21% say they pray weekly or monthly and 23% say they seldom or never pray. Even among those who are religiously unaffiliated, 20% say they pray daily. Women (64%) are more likely than men (46%) to pray every day. And Americans ages 65 and older are far more likely than adults under 30 to say they pray daily (65% vs. 41%).