Sistas Saving Sistas
For Christ II
But God!
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” Joel 2:25
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
God consistently shows his faithfulness towards us. One story in particular that comes to mind when I think about God’s redemption of disorder in my life is when my wife and I were separated and headed for divorce. My wife left me and was determined to get a divorce. Our son was only a year old at the time. I did not understand how the woman I loved so deeply could just walk away from it all.
I tried everything to win her back, but nothing worked. Eventually I gave up and I decided to give her what she really wanted by filing for divorce. Can you believe the day before our final divorce papers came, she called me to reconcile our marriage? The Holy Spirit had been speaking to her and working on her heart about our marriage.
We both became saved right after we got back together. And God called us to counsel other married couples and to teach Marriage Ministry. God not only brought order to our lives, but He brought order to our home, our marriage and our spiritual lives. The scripture He gave us was Joel 2:25 which states, ““And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.”
There was another time, when I was out of work with a wife and kids. I began to argue with God about what He promised in His word about my situation which was, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus.” I was angry with Him because I felt He had yet to keep His word. We needed His help and we needed it right away! Why hadn’t he showed up! Well, the very next day I was called to interview for a position. Not only did I go for the interview, but I got the job the same day. Through it all, God remained faithful to His word! He brought order to our financial and my mental situation.
A third time I witnessed God’s provision is when I had been praying for an SUV. My wife kept trying to talk me into getting a particular make and model. She talked to me about the benefits of getting the vehicle and how good the reviews were. I wanted to wait to purchase and make sure the timing was right. I was just not sure about the payments.
One day I was on my way to my oldest daughter’s birthday party and a woman hit my car from out of nowhere. Both airbags deployed and my vehicle was totaled. I had some pain, so I was taken to the hospital. After I finally received the check to purchase a new vehicle, I had one day to return in my rental vehicle. I had issues with my credit, but we went to the dealership, and we were approved through a different credit union that we do not have an account with. But God!
I drove off the lot in my dream car and the timing was perfect. I needed to get something to get to work and to get home the next day. These experiences have consistently taught me to trust God despite what I see. The situation may seem hopeless, but we have a God of hope.
Take care till next time
Minister Washington
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”
God's Love
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
God draws us to Himself with His great love for the Son which transcends to us. When we realize this great love and what it has done for us, we can’t help but reciprocate this same love for the Father. God, the Father revealed His great love for us in what He did through His, Son, Jesus on the cross. “There is no greater love than a man would lay down his life for a friend.” John 15:13 Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Our love for the Father began or is an extension of His profound and enduring love for us, Jeremiah says, “The Lord appeared to me (Israel) from ages past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” He reveals Himself to His children through the love He showers upon them. There is nothing more beautiful and relatable than the love of our Heavenly father.
John 4:7-21 says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
When we experience the Fathers love we become receptacles of His love and in turn disperse His great love to others. There are some who turn from God’s love and beauty and began to look inwardly where the focus is on themselves. When our focus inwardly we no longer look upward and outward. We become selfish instead of selfless and this attitude in no way can reflect the love of the Father. Instead of us worshipping the Creator we began to worship the created. And ultimately, we no longer take on the likeness of the Creator but we most resemble what we now worship, the created. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” When we choose to dwell and walk in the love and presence of God we will worship the Lord thy God with all that is within us. We will no longer worship the things of this world. These things will become meaningless. He will take first place in our lives. Matthew 6:33 says, “"But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” When we become selfish we no longer shine from within because our relationship with Christ has been broken, our deep fellowship has been tainted and we no longer walk in the beauty that generates to us when we dwell in His presence. We are beautified in His presence. Apart from His love and presence we resemble something that is moldy and lifeless. We have no shine or glister. We walk in peace.
Our natural sinful bent is tilted towards focusing on us. But when we choose to remain in His love we bend towards His likeness. It is similar to a husband and wife in the natural sense that as we spend more time with our spouse, we resemble them. We do some of the same things and act the same or express ourselves in the same way. Well the more we spend time with God we resemble Him. Afterall, we are the Bride of Christ in the spiritual sense. God has to untwist us, our way of thinking or our bend towards ourselves. He molds us into becoming outward looking and more outgoing. We look to the needs of others and not the wants and desires of ourselves. We look to what His desires are and not to our own desires. We turn from the sinful way of being lovers to ourselves but lovers to God and others. He challenges our self-love by His Spirit and through His word.
He exemplifies His great love for us by keeping His promises. The Spirit’s desire is for us to know His son. He wants our intimacy with Him. Paul traded the things of the world so that He could focus on knowing Christ to the fullest. Philippians 3:7-11 says, “But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, [e]for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Charles Surgeon said Knowing God is life” Brothas and Sistas, there is nothing greater than knowing Him and how He operates in and through us and how His operates in the world. When we know Him we exuberate the peace of God. John 14:27 says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” When we look to our Father we are filled with life and peace. There is no reason to fear. The Holy Spirit desires for us to turn to Jesus. We only find true happiness in Christ and living for Him. Our greatest desire should be to know Him, to know the love of God through Christ, Jesus. Ephesians 3:14-19 says, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
As we spend time in the love and presence of God we will be established in His love so that we may show others His love. His love surpasses any knowledge that mere man could ever fathom. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God draws us to Himself with His great love for the Son which transcends to us. When we realize this great love and what it has done for us, we can’t help but reciprocate this same love for the Father. God, the Father revealed His great love for us in what He did through His, Son, Jesus on the cross. “There is no greater love than a man would lay down his life for a friend.” John 15:13 Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Our love for the Father began or is an extension of His profound and enduring love for us, Jeremiah says, “The Lord appeared to me (Israel) from ages past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.” He reveals Himself to His children through the love He showers upon them. There is nothing more beautiful and relatable than the love of our Heavenly father.
John 4:7-21 says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
When we experience the Fathers love we become receptacles of His love and in turn disperse His great love to others. There are some who turn from God’s love and beauty and began to look inwardly where the focus is on themselves. When our focus inwardly we no longer look upward and outward. We become selfish instead of selfless and this attitude in no way can reflect the love of the Father. Instead of us worshipping the Creator we began to worship the created. And ultimately, we no longer take on the likeness of the Creator but we most resemble what we now worship, the created. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” When we choose to dwell and walk in the love and presence of God we will worship the Lord thy God with all that is within us. We will no longer worship the things of this world. These things will become meaningless. He will take first place in our lives.
Matthew 6:33 says, “"But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” When we become selfish we no longer shine from within because our relationship with Christ has been broken, our deep fellowship has been tainted and we no longer walk in the beauty that generates to us when we dwell in His presence. We are beautified in His presence. Apart from His love and presence we resemble something that is moldy and lifeless. We have no shine or glister. We walk in peace.
Our natural sinful bent is tilted towards focusing on us. But when we choose to remain in His love we bend towards His likeness. It is similar to a husband and wife in the natural sense that as we spend more time with our spouse, we resemble them. We do some of the same things and act the same or express ourselves in the same way. Well the more we spend time with God we resemble Him. Afterall, we are the Bride of Christ in the spiritual sense.
God has to untwist us, our way of thinking or our bend towards ourselves. He molds us into becoming outward looking and more outgoing. We look to the needs of others and not the wants and desires of ourselves. We look to what His desires are and not to our own desires. We turn from the sinful way of being lovers to ourselves but lovers to God and others. He challenges our self-love by His Spirit and through His word. He exemplifies His great love for us by keeping His promises. The Spirit’s desire is for us to know His son. He wants our intimacy with Him. Paul traded the things of the world so that He could focus on knowing Christ to the fullest. Philippians 3:7-11 says, “But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, [e]for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Charles Surgeon said, “Knowing God is life” (page 93) There is nothing greater than knowing Him and how He operates in and through us and how His operates in the world. When we know Him we exuberate the peace of God. John 14:27 says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” When we look to our Father we are filled with life and peace. There is no reason to fear. The Holy Spirit desires for us to turn to Jesus. We only find true happiness in Christ and living for Him.
Our greatest desire should be to know Him, to know the love of God through Christ, Jesus. Ephesians 3:14-19 says, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
As we spend time in the love and presence of God we will be established in His love so that we may show others His love. His love surpasses any knowledge that mere man could ever fathom. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”John 3:16
Love,
Michelle
For Better or For Worse
"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate." Matthew 19:6
Good morning to you both,
Brothas and Sistas, as we seek to understand the marital vows let's look at the vows concerning "for better or for worse". Brothas and Sistas, what does for better or for worse mean to you. “For better or for worse” is a commitment by the marriage partners to rise-up together against those things that would threaten the marriage covenant relationship such as attraction for/from someone of the opposite sex towards a marriage partner, dealing with rebellious children, blended family conflict, etc.,
Believe it or not, there are some things that we just need to have enough spiritual gumption or perseverance to work through. Brothas and Sistas, it is never an option to bail out at the first sign of trouble or conflict. The Christian life calls us to a life of perseverance and commitment. We must learn the importance of prayer and trusting God when it comes to conflict in our marriages.
The Bible presents marriage as a divine institution. If marriage were of human origin, then human beings would have a right to decide the kind of marital relationships to choose. Marriage, however, began with God. It was established by God at the beginning of human history when He "created the heavens and the earth" (Gen 1:1). As the Creator of marriage, God has the right to tell us which principles should govern our marital relationships.
Commitment is a mindset, an attitude and a way of thinking that will enable you and your spouse to navigate through the still waters and the storms of a marriage relationship. Charles Swindoll (Strike the Original Match) compares working on marriage to remodeling a house:
It takes longer than you planned It costs more than you figured It is messier than you anticipated It requires greater determination than you expected.
Sometimes the only thing that keeps us going is hope! Now Brothas and Sistas, there may be some of you asking the question: What if I am involved in an abusive marriage or a marriage where my spouse continues to commit adultery? Brothas and Sistas, let's make it clear it is never healthy to remain in a relationship with someone that is consistently abusive or commits adultery without genuine repentance. We are not giving you advice to divorce your spouse if this is occurring in your relationship because that is a decision that has to be Spirit led and it is your decision to make.
On the other hand, we have witnessed spouses being told that they are bound by their marital vows to stay in a marriage even when they have been victims of domestic violence and adultery. They have been made to feel guilty by being consistently reminded that they are called by God to forgive and love unconditionally regardless of how many times their spouse breaks the marital vows.
Brothas and Sistas, does “for better or for worse” mean that you are married for life — regardless of the violations committed against you in the marriage? The answer is No! Nor has it ever meant that. As we have said before, in counseling sessions some spouses have been told that they are called by God to maintain a relationship with someone even when he or she is repeatedly destructive toward them. In other words, "For better or worse."
But is that counsel truly biblical? Are we ever permitted to end a relationship or distance ourselves from someone because of their unchanged sinful behavior? God's love for humankind is unconditional but he does not offer anyone unconditional relationship. He tells us that our sin separates us from him and that without repentance we have no fellowship with him (1 John 1:6). Our sin does not separate us from God’s love (Romans 5:8) but it does separate us from his presence (Isaiah 59:1-2). Jesus distanced himself from certain religious leaders because he didn’t trust them. He knew what was in their heart (John 2:24).
Throughout much of the Old Testament, God withdraws his presence from his people because of unrepentant sin. God calls people to a covenant relationship that is like a marriage. He not only wants us to enjoy his love, he wants us to love him back (Deuteronomy 6:5). He not only promises us his faithfulness, he requires that we be faithful in return (Deuteronomy 4:23-24). The book of Hosea is a picture of God’s love for his unfaithful spouse (Israel). He longs for her, but his relationship with her will remain broken until she is willing to change.
http://www.leslievernick.com/pdfs/IS-Marriage-SUPPOSED-to-be-for-Better-or-for-Worse-FR.pdf
In this sinful world there is no perfect person and in every relationship there is some brokenness and suffering. That’s why Jesus tells us that when someone sins against us, we are to go and talk to that person so that we can be reconciled. However, he also adds, if they refuse to hear you after you have repeatedly tried to get them to listen, "treat them as you would a pagan and a tax collector" (Matthew 18:15-17). Jesus says, if there is no repentance, the relationship you once had changes. Pagans and tax collectors were not trusted, nor were they friends, although a good Jew would help a pagan or tax collector who was in need, fulfilling the biblical mandate to love one’s enemy. http://www.leslievernick.com/pdfs/IS-Marriage-SUPPOSED-to-be-for-Better-or-for-Worse-FR.pdf
In conclusion, when dealing with the marital vows, "For better or for worse" let's ask ourselves, "Am I responding to these vows God's way or my way?" Brothas, and Sistas, in order for us to have successful marriages we must respond to these vows in a godly way even when conflict arises. Until next time. Take care.
Minister Antonio and Sista Michelle Washington
Prayer of Faith
Dear Lord,
We praise your great name for the spouses that you have blessed us with. We realize that you have joined us together and for this we are so grateful. Please continue to bless our marriages. Help us to honor you by continuing to love the ones that we are with. May we always honor the marital vows that we made toward our spouses. We pray all these things in your praiseworthy name, Jesus. Amen.
Tea Time With Tabby
A Brew of Purpose and Fulfillment
Ephesians 4:1 "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails."
Isaiah 14:24 "The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen."
Isaiah 14:27 "For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?"
Colossians 3:16 "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. stretched out, and who can turn it back?"
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I pray that the Lord awoke you today understanding that He has a purpose and Joy for your day and life no matter the struggles that we must encounter in this day we have been gifted. May we Pray. Lord, I thank you for another day for another chance to be your light and messenger. I pray that you will walk before, beside, and behind and guide my every step, thought and word as I go into and through this day.
Let's head over to the Grand Brew Masters Table and have a cup tea with Him this morning and share in His word and purpose and plans for each of us today.
As I awoke today He reminded me to go to the cupboard and seek out the Brew that He had intended for me to share with you today. He revealed to me that it’s important that I focus on the positive, while there is plenty of worry and stress, He has blessed each of us greatly with a Purpose and that we must seek the joy and Gratitude that can flow from such a high Purpose.
Recently I have changed roles and responsibilities at my job, I love the company I work for. Are we perfect? Far from it, but for the first time in my professional life and I have been in this career field for over 30yrs, I feel truly appreciated and that I fully belong. I can’t fully explain how much this means to me as a person who has always felt like I was just on the outside of acceptance in nearly all life circumstances. In my family I am the odd one out, labeled the emotional one, the relationships catastrophe one, the too hard mom etc.…. In my professional life I have always felt less than as I don’t have a degree and I have always had peers with degrees, supervised people with degrees, and doubted my full ability to measure up. Any of this sound familiar?
In the past year God has put me in my heart and mind a new sense of courage to challenge these beliefs in many ways. I still struggle with many but in my professional life He has empowered me and surrounded me with His chosen people to encourage me to break those chains of lies. To really push myself to question and challenge the lies and deceit of the Evil One. To seek Him and squash the self-doubt if only long enough to pursue one new career goal at a time and truly to seek out His given Purpose for me in my professional life.
I must be honest hear this was scary for me, but He kept on pouring this brew daily in my heart each time that there was an opportunity for advancement that He already saw me in and saw the good and the success He had planned for me in it. So, 2 years ago I took that, and I tried, and I failed. No, I was not awarded, the promotion was given to another. All the self-doubt and self-consciousness crept right back into my heart and mind. Yet He kept on pouring this brew and telling me not to sip the lies of deceit.
Once again, this same opportunity presented itself again, He again encouraged me and this time He added some extra sugar, and milk to my Tea, to encourage, and entice me to sip a bit more and to seek His Purpose and His way toward this new opportunity. So this time I sought Him with even great intentionality, and followed His lead and guidance and that of those He put in my path. This time the outcome was much different, I did get the new job. Then each day following He blessed me with new challenges and opportunities to prove myself worthy. Now one would think I would finally believe I was worthy of this role since He clearly orchestrated my success. Sadly, I must admit that old lies crept in and that old enemy of self-doubt moved back into my heart and mind. Now this time his residency was not as impactful, as I had learned some of the lessons that had been provided. I am so very glad to say that its influence was not as strong anymore, and for this I must praise Him with Gratitude and humbleness.
Fast forward another year, and a new opportunity presents itself at work for even greater influence and advancement, yet my soul was so very hesitant. I felt so much anxiousness and at the same time pressure from many to seek out this new role. They were all well intentioned people who thought that I was allowing the Evil Ones' influence guide and control my expectations and abilities to be successful and accepted and considered for this new opportunity. So I went before our Lord and sought Him and His wisdom and guidance, and in the end decided that this is not what He Purposed or planned for me. Many were surprised and many were disappointed in my decision, but I knew it wasn’t His Purpose for me, so I chose to be Grateful for His discernment.
Now one may think the story ends here, but our God is much bigger than this!!! Within weeks of this discerning choice that was prayerfully considered and determined not to be for me He revealed His True Purpose and plan for my obedience and trust in Him. A new opportunity opened at my current company, one that I was so excited about and one that I am happy to say I was accepted and received. Since receiving this blessing, I cannot explain the Gratitude and sense of privilege and Purpose and Meaning and Blessing that I have been provided. This is not say that the enemy doesn’t come knocking, and doesn’t try to spoil the Brews of successful and fulfillment that I have in this new role as he does daily.
However, our God is so much bigger so much more than the Evil One could ever face. Our Lord has placed me with a Mentor, Supervisor, that knows Him, rejoices in Him, whose light for life and passion and Purpose are derived from Him. Our Lord has placed me in this safe place where I am prayerfully protected and encouraged and supported to be me. To allow my light and love of our Savior to shine daily. A place where I can fully explore the gifts and talents that He has poured into me to share and create, and encourage, bless, and grow others.
Brothers and Sisters, this Brew today is intended to remind us that God’s Purposes and Plans for us will always come to be. The road may be hard, and the road may have twists, detours, accidents, and delays. However, if we keep on drinking the Brew of seeking is Purpose with heart of Gratitude for the journey on the way to the land of our Good Purpose designed and intended for each of us individually He will see to that we arrive safely.
I pray that this Brew and my testimony will bless and encourage you to seek Him and trust Him, for his perfect Purpose for your life, and that you too will chose Gratitude along the way.
Love and Prayers till next week,
Tabby
The Adoption
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
The Christians identity is wrapped up in his/her union with Christ. Our connection to the vine is what
influences our worship, how we display Jesus in the world and in the marketplace, which ultimately influences our witness as the bride of Christ. As we live our lives in Christ, we don’t do so in our own strength, but we have to rely solely on Him. To be successful in this Christian life we must do as Jesus did and walk a life of total obedience to our Heavenly Father.
We have been adopted into the family of God. We are joint heirs with Christ eventhough Christ is the son of God. We too have an inheritance to all that Christ has inherited from the Father. Nothing can remove us from our position in Christ because we have been made to be joint heirs with Christ.
Our adoption is not in any way similar, to the adoption of the world. We have acquired a unique closeness, so close that it requires us to shed what we were born into to become who were redeemed to be and to obtain all that we were adopted into. We are required to lose our identity in the world to gain our identity in Christ. In exchange for our adoption, He wants us to not only give ourselves solely to Him but allow Him to remake and mold us into what He would only have us to be, a child of the Most High.
In the translation of the word adoption Paul uses the term that we have been transferred from one family to another. What a privilege it is to be not only transferred but transformed, made over, converted into. We have been received as the adopted sons and daughters of he King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Once sinners, now adopted heirs o the Heavenly Father. We share in the sonship of Christ. We get to cry “Abba Father” to the God of creation because we are His adopted sons and daughters.
“Nobody is born into this world a child of the family of God. We are born as children of wrath. The only way we enter into the family of God is by adoption, and that adoption occurs when we are united to God’s only begotten Son by faith. When by faith we are united with Christ, we are then adopted into that family of whom Christ is the firstborn.” ~ R.C. Spoul
https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/18-christian-quotes-about-adoption/#ixzz7rHEGFMcs
Blessings,
Michelle
Let Jesus Carry You
Mt 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV)
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
I can remember when my children were little and I had to take them to the babysitters house. We had to walk from our apartment up this long hill to get to her house. My youngest son would get so tired that he would begin to slow down and I would carry him the rest of the way.
So often in our lives we go through times of testing and trial, the long and tiresome hill to victory becomes hard to maneuver and we feel so overwhelmed that we are not sure if we can take another step. It is at that moment we realize that we need to be carried in order to get to our destination. Whenever I began to feel like this I know the only one that can carry me and point me in the right direction is Jesus
I am reminded of the poem, “Footprints in the sand,” which states, “One night I dreamed a dream. I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
Brothas and Sistas we are never alone when we have Jesus as our travel companion. He is the only one willing to carry us through tough times on to victory. Don't try to do it alone. Let Him carry you!
Michelle
Prayer of Faith
Lord, treach us to lean into you more and realize the importance of allowing you to carry us when we are tired and overwhelmed. Your desire is to be with us in all that we go through to take us into the realm of victory. We love you more than ever for your faithfulness. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
God Loves Through Forgiveness
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Sometimes in life we find ourselves in precarious situations. Well, the other day I found myself in one. It all started with a conversation at my place of employment. I made a comment about the boss to another person at the job and guess what? The very next morning as I was entering my place of employment the boss asked me to come into her office. She pulled me aside to inquire into what I had spoken to the other person. Honestly, I didn't think much of it because it wasn't anything malicious or gossipy, just a comment about the environment.
After I returned home, I was very angry and wanted never to speak to the other person again. But God spoke to me saying, "If the comment had never been made, the other person couldn't have tried to use it against you. Watch how you use your mouth."
With that, I took my lumps, and repented for the indiscretion of my mouth. Afterward, negative thoughts of the other person kept bombarding my mind. I spent a couple of hours pushing them down, until I remembered that I had been forgiven and I could simply share the forgiveness with the other person.
Honestly, I didn't feel like being forgiving to someone who deliberately tried to get me into trouble. But I realized that forgiveness is not so much about the other person as it is about us letting go of bitterness and hostility. Although, it's not easy! It's a fight within your soul! However, we still must forgive.
Then I remembered why God loves forgiveness. It's because He loves us and if forgiveness were not used as a means of cleansing away our sinfulness, God would have no choice but to destroy us. Looking at forgiveness from God’s perspective helped me to forgive the other person, because if she ever needs me to help save her life, I can help her since I'm not holding any grudges or hostility towards her in my heart. All is well between her and I, in my heart because of the gift of forgiveness God has given to both of us.
When I returned to work the next day, I acted like nothing had ever happened. I could tell she was a little nervous because she kept trying to make conversation with me. Initially, I ignored her, but then I responded with a smile and a friendly reply to her comments. The young lady is in a crisis and I would rather be a help than a hinderance to her growth. Again, it’s not always easy to do the right thing, but it’s always the right thing to do.
Prayer:
Father, in the name of Jesus, please help me to let go of the anger I feel towards this person. And help me to remember that I am just as much at fault for my participation in the sin. Help me to forgive their faults just like you forgive mine. And help me to pray for them as I pray for myself, in love. Amen.
Just One More
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
I remember a story about a man who once said near the end of his dad’s life. One day he became very active and tried to get out of bed. Of course, he was too weak, and this man’s wife insisted that he get back in bed and she asked him why he was so persistent in getting out of bed and what he was trying to do? He replied, “Got to save one more for Jesus!!!
Got to save one more for Jesus………. Rick Warren’s Dad
God wants nothing more than Hs lost children found. Nothing matters more to God than this. Listen if you and I go in God’s love we can’t help but win them as we have seen so many others that have done that. You may be saying well I am not sure if I can do that. You can only give what is inside of you. If you must win your soul for Christ the salvation of God has to first (my brother’s and sister’s) win you over.
Listen the reason why evangelism is dying today is because many Christians do not have the zeal to win souls. The devotion to spreading the word of God should be our characteristic of a soul winner.
1.Father, may you give me the passion for winning souls.
2.Ask God to make you an influencer of the gospel.
3.Pray and ask God for the grace to model my lifestyle according to the scriptures.
4.Ask God to please, please take away every hindrance
of evangelism from my life.
5.Allow the Holy Spirit to empower, fulfil me with your confidence.
In the movie” Hacksaw Ridge” Private Doss became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor for service above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Okinawa, the term conscientious objector means a person’s belief. You see on May 4, 1945 Private Doss helped rescue 75 wounded men including a few Japanese soldiers by lowering them down on the side of a cliff and treating their injuries with a special knot that he knew. But here is the exciting part, he miraculously had not been wounded and stayed in the fight with at that time was known as Company B. After the 75 or so souls Private Doss tried to prevent a grenade from blowing up his fellow soldiers that he tried to kick it away and it exploded causing 17 pieces of shrapnel to be embedded in his body along with the fact that he was shot in his left arm by a snipers bullet.
Listen as one who is willing to reach, “Just One More” you have to realize that God does things differently than what we think it should be. The children of Israel in Egypt. You see before God began to work on helping them, He made them begin to cry.
Their sighs and their cries came up to God, and He then stretched out His hand to deliver them. You had mothers weeping when their babies were being taken and thrown into the river, the young men bowing down under the cruel yoke of oppression, being lashed from the taskmasters. The whole nation crying unto the Lord to visit them and deliver them and the stories go on and on for so many.
We as Believers must learn the value of a soul. Did you know that one soul is more valuable than the whole world? The value of a soul corresponds to the value of life meaning it shows how you care for your own soul, It should motivate us to care for others. When it comes to “Just One More: Jesus shows us the way to reach them. Remember the Samaritan Woman
He said, “Go and sin no more.” It doesn’t matter the gender or the background, God’s mercy extends to all who have faith to believe.
Notice He didn’t cast her off because of what she was, we can’t predetermine someone’s reaction to the truth. We can’t cast certain ones off as worthless. We need to always be ready to give an answer never neglecting to tell someone the gospel of Jesus Christ or helping someone to overcome sin. Galatians 6:1-2-“Brother’s and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Ezekiel 33:8 “When I say unto the wicked, Oh Wicked man thou shalt surely die; if thou doesn’t speak to warn the wicked from his way. That wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I require of thine hand.”
As I close there is a difference my brothers and sisters when it comes to receiving an award. Because most people want the accolades which is an award for recognition given in honor of an achievement or a compensation a prize such as a purple heart that Doss received giving of himself to protect others. We should be looking toward the reward which is something given in return for a good thing done, a service rendered or some merit earned. Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus says “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Rewards are motivators, loyalty, steadfastness. There are 5 rewards that the bible teaches and they are:
1.Crown of Life
2.Incorruptible Crown
3.Crown of Righteousness
4.Crown of Glory
5.Crown of Rejoicing
So the next time you are given the breathe of life by God ask God to help you get “Just One More”
Blessings,
MInister Washington
Teatime with Tabby
A Brew of Needing to Learn Dependence Once Again
Psalm 25
Of David.
In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. ...
Psalm 71
In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. ...
Romans 9:16
It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Good morning, Brothers and Sisters, it has been some time since I have been here at our Lord’s table with you. May we pray? Lord, you awoke me today with this Brew on my heart and mind. I recognize that I have been awoken often and not headed your calling, and I ask for your forgiveness. I desire to do better to be better to share the truths and the struggles as well as rejoice in the blessings you have so abundantly provided me. I have so much to be grateful for and much more to seek redemption for. I ask all this in your Holy Name.
Sisters and Brothers this a Brew that seems to have been a lifelong struggle for me, I don’t know what it is or why it is, but I just seem to allow this brew to be pushed to the back of the cupboard over and over to where eventually I don’t even recognize that I am no longer drinking it daily. Have you ever found yourself here?
This morning His call to me was so loud in my spirit that I tossed and turned and stressed and worried and tried to find solutions for so many challenges that my life faces currently. While at the same time, another part of my spirit was dancing in joy with recent blessings. Then there was the evil one’s voice trying and almost succeeding in speaking louder into my spirit and soul his lies and deceits and doubts and selfish manipulative mannerisms.
Yet as always, our Lord and Grand Brew Master’s voice overtook the evil ones’ words and began to speak gently to my soul and remind me that yes, this life will have trouble, but if we trust and depend on Him, we will be shown and guided to the path of righteousness.
My heart is full of trouble these days with relational challenges, and fear of the impending loss of my mom, as I am watching the woman that I have always known to be the strongest and most courageous and independent person I have ever known, become smaller, and dependent on others for the most basic of human existence. Financial challenges that just don’t seem to end that are the result of an abusive relationship that took me far too long to leave. As good intentioned Godly people spoke into my life encouraging me to stay and change my response while being deceived by his cunning, narcissistic personality. They too now see the damage and the truth, but I sit in the hardship and heartbreak, the financial ruin, and damaged relationships that were a result of this mess. Please don’t think all the blame is laid at their feet I own as much of this as anyone else. It's just so hard when you are already a broken person to see these truths till they have nearly destroyed you. I am so grateful to our Lord for taking me from this situation before physical parrel came knocking. He is so Good!!
Since that day nearly 2 ½ years ago now, I am still trying to re-learn how to trust, how to begin again, how to lean in and how to depend fully once again on our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s so easy to depend on Him when all things are sunshine and rainbows. It’s even easy for me to depend on when what is before me is complete devastation, it is in these in-between times when there are grand blessings and great sadness, as well as great fear, difficulties, and unknowns that I have no control or power or say in that are much more difficult. That is not to say that we ever really have power or control but there are times when we have choices and options that we can bring to the Lord and seek His wisdom. For so many of the current challenges and difficulties, I have no input, no options, just judgment and consequence that is not of my own making or my own sin. While the person who perpetrated the situation lives on free of any consequence and the knowledge and arrogance to bask in my sorrow and misfortune.
These thoughts and feelings bring us back to today’s brew, as yes, they are true and valid and real and come with real-life challenges. Yet the Lord will see me through to the other side. He has already made a path for me, and He stands before me with His Right hand out and a staff in the left to provide me stability and support to make my way through the wilderness, and over or through the mountain. He is simply calling to me to take the staff and His hand and take this journey with Him. So now it’s time for me and you too possibly to decide if we are going to accept the invitation from one that will always be dependable and trustworthy. Will you join me today at the Grand Brew Master’s Table and drink the Brew of Re-Learned Dependence?
It’s my prayer today that wherever you are that you will quiet the other voices and listen for the voice of truth and respond as I chose to do today. I pray that I will become a better listener, more reliant on His strength and Will for my life daily.
I must Praise and thank Him for the recent blessings, He has provided me with in my new role at work with a supervisor that speaks His truth into all we do every day. One who is quick and gentle to remind me that He is in control, and He always works all things out for the good of His purposes and plans and that those are always to prosper us never to harm us.
May you too be Blessed and Reminded daily of His Great Love for you!!
In His Grace,
Tabby
Teatime With Tabby A Brew of Faith, Hope and Gods Truth
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters,
I hope everyone had a chance to clean out their Tea Cupboards and make room for some new and amazing Brews that God has designed for you and you alone.
Today I feel led to talk about some of the pressures that society places on us, woman in particularly, even more so some that we place on ourselves. Are we to drink of the brew of self love or as I prefer to a call this brew a little something different, The Brew of Loving myself as Christ loves me? I distinguish this brew from brews that are much more worldly. I don't love myself in or by a worldly standard. I am talking about a brew of faith, belief in Christ and who He says you and I are in His eyes.
Lets grab our tea cups as we look at the lives of some women I have known and my own story of lack of self love that plummeted into many pits of despair, darkness, and great sin.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I have heard just in the past week that several of my beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are walking with Him and some that aren't share the same theme in their brew, which involves a sense of worthlessness. They believe that somehow they have done or been or committed terrible things in the brews they have chosen and now have them feeling lost, hopeless, desperate, worthless, unlovable, to messed up to ever have intimacy with the Father or a life partner. So you see they don't see the Father's tender hands and open arms waiting for them, longing for them. He is ready to unleash all the loving comfort and assurance that they need right where they are now, if they would just lift their eyes to see and a heart to hear.
They are each in the need of the brew of Faith, Hope, and God's Truth. God says that once we are His daughters nothing can separate us from His Love. You see Sisters, it doesn't matter how many brews of Sin, Self destruction, Sorrow, Poor Choices, and distance we have drank, the King and Savior of the universe is still with me and you. We must confess our sins to the Lord Jesus and once we do they are cleansed and we are forever more.
I know from personal experience what each of those brews and may other destructive brews can do. Yet I sit here this morning with a heart full of love and hope and I am able to love me; the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly. I'm able to do so because I met the Father and Savior when I finally came to the end of myself. Sisters, I am only able to do this because I began drinking the brew of Christ Confidence and love for me and every one of you. Christ does not desire that any of us would lay in despair without his comfort there for us.
Christ Confidence, what is this brew all about? He designs this brew differently for each us depending on what our defeat and loss of self love for whichever pit we are sitting in. He designs a brew that is exactly what He knows we need to get back to Him. I have learned that this brew can be considered worldly but if you are careful and certain that you are to drink the Brew of Self Love that Christ created and poured for you rest assured worldliness can be poured from the same tea pot that Christ is pouring into our despair. Please know and share with every person you encounter that is in need of such a brew. Be confident that He will brew for them the exact brew they are in need of at that moment.
The difference between the Brew of Self Love that is of this world is one that makes us selfish and desiring only to please ourselves; our "Adam and Eve" complex. When we drink from this cup we are only seeking to serve ourselves not our Lord or the world He created and entrusted to us.
The brew I am speaking of is a brew of Loving acceptance that you are perfect the way Christ, the Lord God made you. And that He created you to be someone that has a life that reveals truth and shines His light of love to a dark and hurting world. Sisters, we will never be taken serious or have the impact that this Brew has the potential for if we don't first love ourselves as Christ loves us.
As I mentioned I have a few dear Sisters that are struggling to find their way to this brew. They are each in different places on the path towards the Tea Cupboard yet they each have their own struggles in reaching it. Some have forgotten what it was like to be enveloped in His amazing Love and being at the center of His will for their lives. Some feel are so alone and have forgotten that they don't recall how VERY MUCH He loves them. Some are a bit further down the path to where this brew awaits them. They may be struggling but they see the steam from the Tea Pot and are headed directly towards it. Others still yet don't know, understand or have ever experienced a dynamic loving all encompassing real relationship with Christ. They have believed but not yet walked with Him.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, there are so many different reasons, trials, failures, loss, defeat, lack of understanding and darkness that Satan pours in to our Tea Cups. These brews need to be replaced with the truths of God and Christ. So here are few to help you find your way on the path to self love, so that you can understand and experience Christ's love for you. Additionally, so that you will have several reference points to turn to when you are in despair the following will help you know without a shadow of doubt that the Father loves you and knows that you are more precious than gold or any other thing that He could choose.
You are His chosen daughters and Love(s) of His Life. Before I list all the promises of God there is one brew that I hold tightly too. That is the Brew that God's love will endure forever and that He loves me besides my sin. He promises that once we are His, He will never stop seeking after us. He promises that His Love will always be available to us. We need nothing more than to seek Him earnestly even in our weakest moments. He will meet us there and pour the perfect brew to fill us with His love, salvation and redemption.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I pray that you find the strength through Him today to once again allow the Father and Savior, Jesus Christ to love you. To do this you must once again believe with whatever amount of hope and faith you can muster up that you are worthy of His love because you are. After all He created you to love you. He died on the cross to save you and He arose again to give you everlasting life. Take and drink these brews as He brewed them specially and uniquely for each of us.
God's Promises
What can be said about God's promises to us?
1. He has promised to supply every need we have. The Bible says: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus". That's Philippians 4:19. Now notice, God has obligated Himself only to the extent of our needs. That would include food, clothing, shelter, companionship, love, and salvation through Jesus Christ. It would not include the multiplicity of luxuries that we have come to think of as needs.
2. God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us. (II Corinthians 12:9). in fact, He has made provision for our salvation by His grace through faith. Read Ephesians 2:8. It is through an obedient faith that we have access into the grace of God according to Romans 5:2.
3. God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation. Instead, He assures us that a way of escape will be provided. This promise is recorded in I Corinthians 10:13. Jude wrote: "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present your faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." (Jude v 24). Darius, King of the Medes, said to Daniel, "Thy God whom thou serve continually, he will deliver thee" (Daniel 6:16). He did deliver Daniel from the den of lions.
4. God has promised us victory over death. He first resurrected Jesus by way of assuring our resurrection. Peter said: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32). Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4). Later on he adds: "but thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:57).
5. God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28). It may be difficult for us to see and understand how this is accomplished at times, but God has promised it and He will deliver.
6. God has promised that those who believe in Jesus and are baptized for the forgiveness of sins will be saved. (Read Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38).
7. God has promised His people eternal life (John 10:27,28).
In closing, let me appeal to you to live so that the promises of God will be yours.
Love,
Tabby
Pierce the Plans of the Enemy Through Praise
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
The word hope is found in the Strong’s concordance. It is the Greek elpis. It is defined as to hope, hope for, put hope in, expect, an attitude of confidently looking forward to what is good and beneficial.
Peter starts out the conversation with his audience by first of all, admonishing them to praise God in the midst of suffering and trials, then he reminds them to place their hope in Christ resurrection through His death and thirdly he encourages them to have a sober and alert mind.
Let’s look at how Peter encouraged them to praise Him in the midst of their trials. He wanted them to Praise the Father, God and the Son for all that had been given to the new believers. Brothers and Sisters, the enemy's job is to get us to focus on the attack instead of the breakthrough we receive through praise. God's power meets us in the midst of praise our praise in spite of what we are going through. His presence is our shield us and indwells us when we praise Him in through our trials.
You know James and David had the same idea that Peter did when they admonished their audience to praise God while going through various trials. We, as believers, are to praise God through anything, even our sufferings. Our hope must come alive through our praise. James 1:2-7 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
And let’s look at Psalm 34, which is one of my all-time favorite scriptures, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”
Praise should always be a Christians first response when it comes to trials. It is our secret weapon in attacking the enemy when He attacks our minds through trials. Eventhough trials rise against the Christians. We are to remind ourselves that trials are no match for the ultimate weapon which lies in the mouth of the believer, which is praise.
Brothers and Sisters, there are some days I enter my quiet time with God with the weight of the world on my shoulders and I am distracted by the cares of the world. At that moment I have no hope. But I notice the minute I give way to praise, the weight is lifted. And in that moment I am reminded that Jesus not only shows forth His willingness to handle each one of my burdens but He reassures me of how capable He is of delivering me from my burdens. The melodies that go forth from our mouths when we sing back His promises to Him pierce the plans of the enemy.
Prayer of faith
Thank you Lord for praise. Praise is a powerful weapon to fight against our enemy. Help us to use it. May we always have praise on our lips. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Hearken To His Voice
"The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin." Psalm 51:17 NCV
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Throughout the bible each man or woman God used had a heart that was responsive to hearing and obeying His voice. What I'm saying is we must be sensitive to His Spirit. I know sometimes we may think that it's our ability or talent that allows us to be used by Him, but Brothas and Sistas, that is not the case. What God wants is a man or woman who has a broken and contrite heart.
Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin." In other words God is looking at the heart and what condition it is in. I like Jeremiah 17:10 which says, " I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind." You see when I as an ordinary person with all my faults I came in contact with God; the extraordinary comes from Him.
One of the things I need to ask myself is, "Am I available to be used by God? In order to be used by God my character needs a consistent spiritual check up. David said in Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me Oh God and know my heart trust me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."
Brothas and Sistas, my check up keeps me on point, but if I don't heed to the warning signs that may be given then spiritual sickness will spread, my heart will weaken, and soon fail. You see God's Spirit will ask me to stop before I go any further and deal with a particular issue in my character or behavior.
I remember someone telling me to read Psalm 15 which says, "Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? That scripture pretty much deals with the heart issue. The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord;who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken."
You see this chapter truly shows me the condition of my heart.
We must keep in mind that God places us in situations that line up according to His will and purpose for our lives. In other words, whatever we do has to be unto the Lord because Christ is Lord over our lives. Whatever we do is from the heart and not because someone tells us. Do you not know that as a man of God He puts us in places where we can make a difference as a servant of God? Remember our reward is from the Lord not men.
Listen Brothas and Sistas, if you are faithful over a few things God will be able to trust you with more. God is involved in every area of our lives whether we recognize it or not. God is so good that He will take the ordinary circumstances we face in life and use them to help develop our character.
Until next week. Take care.
Minister Antonio Washington
Prayer of Faith
Thank you for speaking to us. Help us to discern your voice and obey accordingly. May we want to do your will more than anything. Give us a heart like yours. In Jesus name we pray Amen,
Blessed to Be A Blessing
Good Morning Brothas and Sistas,
God has given us His all, His Son and I just wanted to share my testimony, heart's prayer and desire for giving unselfishly to bless others. I had been thinking about the Christmas season and wondering how I could give of myself unselfishly.
Brothas and Sistas, my thought was, "This is what God did when He gave us Jesus. The Holy Spirit then brought to mind something I had seen on the news which featured people paying off strangers bills in stores and giving out money. The Holy Spirit said to me, "You be the giver." and so I did.
One day after paying for my stuff in Walmart, I began to pay for a few others standing in line. I left there went to pick up my medication at CVS, payed for it and blessed the cashier. She asked if I needed her to change the bill I gave her. I said, "No, it's for you! Merry Christmas."
Next, I went to the bank and while coming out I blessed a lady going to her car. Brothas and Sistas, all of these people responded the same way; amazed and over joyed with disbelief, crying but all so grateful.
God has blessed me so many times when I was in need. This was my way of thanking Him by giving to strangers. Oh the joy that fills my soul. God has blessed me with resources to do this and it feels so good to give back. Jesus said to Himself, in Acts 20:35 B," It is more blessed to give than to receive." And it was. Not only that but whatever we do unto our Lord, so give, Brothas and Sistas. Jesus did and so should we. We will never go without when we do.
I want to be a blessing to others. What about you? Will you be a blessing to all those that you come in contact with as the Lord leads you? I challenge you to bless others in the same way that God has blessed you. You will realize that the person receiving the blessing is not only blessed by your giving but you will be blessed by being a blessing.
God Bless,
Renee
Prayer of Faith
Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving yourself away for us. We pray that we would seek and listen for opportunities to be a blessing to those around us. Allow us to be so sensitive to your Spirit that we will give when you say so; after all you have given so much for us. Allow us to return the favor. We pray all these things in your amazing name, Jesus.
Marriage - Am I Responding to My Vows God's Way or My Way
http://youtu.be/YOKq1VmEbtc Old Skool
“Marriage is a total commitment and a total sharing of the total person with another person until death.” ~ Wayne Mack
Malachi 2:14,15 "But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant."
Good morning to you both,
Brothas and Sistas, as we seek to understand the marital vows let's look at the vows concerning "for better or for worse". Brothas and Sistas, what does for better or for worse mean to you. “For better or for worse” is a commitment by the marriage partners to rise-up together against those things that would threaten the marriage covenant relationship such as attraction for/from someone of the opposite sex towards a marriage partner, dealing with rebellious children, blended family conflict, etc.,
Believe it or not, there are some things that we just need to have enough spiritual gumption or perseverance to work through. Brothas and Sistas, it is never an option to bail out at the first sign of trouble or conflict. The Christian life calls us to a life of perseverance and commitment. We must learn the importance of prayer and trusting God when it comes to conflict in our marriages.
The Bible presents marriage as a divine institution. If marriage were of human origin, then human beings would have a right to decide the kind of marital relationships to choose. Marriage, however, began with God. It was established by God at the beginning of human history when He "created the heavens and the earth" (Gen 1:1). As the Creator of marriage, God has the right to tell us which principles should govern our marital relationships.
Commitment is a mindset, an attitude and a way of thinking that will enable you and your spouse to navigate through the still waters and the storms of a marriage relationship. Charles Swindoll (Strike the Original Match) compares working on marriage to remodeling a house:
It takes longer than you planned
It costs more than you figured
It is messier than you anticipated
It requires greater determination than you expected
Sometimes the only thing that keeps us going is hope!
Now Brothas and Sistas, there may be some of you asking the question: What if I am involved in an abusive marriage or a marriage where my spouse continues to commit adultery? Brothas and Sistas, let's make it clear it is never healthy to remain in a relationship with someone that is consistently abusive or commits adultery without genuine repentance. We are not giving you advice to divorce your spouse if this is occurring in your relationship because that is a decision that has to be Spirit led and it is your decision to make.
On the other hand, we have witnessed spouses being told that they are bound by their marital vows to stay in a marriage even when they have been victims of domestic violence and adultery. They have been made to feel guilty by being consistently reminded that they are called by God to forgive and love unconditionally regardless of how many times their spouse breaks the marital vows.
Brothas and Sistas, does “for better or for worse” mean that you are married for life — regardless of the violations committed against you in the marriage? The answer is No! Nor has it ever meant that. As we have said before, in counseling sessions some spouses have been told that they are called by God to maintain a relationship with someone even when he or she is repeatedly destructive toward them. In other words, "For better or worse."
But is that counsel truly biblical? Are we ever permitted to end a relationship or distance ourselves from someone because of their unchanged sinful behavior? God's love for humankind is unconditional but he does not offer anyone unconditional relationship. He tells us that our sin separates us from him and that without repentance we have no fellowship with him (1 John 1:6). Our sin does not separate us from God’s love (Romans 5:8) but it does separate us from his presence (Isaiah 59:1-2). Jesus distanced himself from certain religious leaders because he didn’t trust them. He knew what was in their heart (John 2:24). Throughout much of the Old Testament, God withdraws his presence from his people because of unrepentant sin. God calls people to a covenant relationship that is like a marriage. He not only wants us to enjoy his love, he wants us to love him back (Deuteronomy 6:5). He not only promises us his faithfulness, he requires that we be faithful in return (Deuteronomy 4:23-24). The book of Hosea is a picture of God’s love for his unfaithful spouse (Israel). He longs for her, but his relationship with her will remain broken until she is willing to change.
http://www.leslievernick.com/pdfs/IS-Marriage-SUPPOSED-to-be-for-Better-or-for-Worse-FR.pdf
In this sinful world there is no perfect person and in every relationship there is some brokenness and suffering. That’s why Jesus tells us that when someone sins against us, we are to go and talk to that person so that we can be reconciled. However, he also adds, if they refuse to hear you after you have repeatedly tried to get them to listen, "treat them as you would a pagan and a tax collector" (Matthew 18:15-17). Jesus says, if there is no repentance, the relationship you once had changes. Pagans and tax collectors were not trusted, nor were they friends, although a good Jew would help a pagan or tax collector who was in need, fulfilling the biblical mandate to love one’s enemy.
http://www.leslievernick.com/pdfs/IS-Marriage-SUPPOSED-to-be-for-Better-or-for-Worse-FR.pdf
In conclusion, when dealing with the marital vows, "For better or for worse" let's ask ourselves, "Am I responding to these vows God's way or my way?" Brothas, and Sistas, in order for us to have successful marriages we must respond to these vows in a godly way even when conflict arises. Until next time. Take care.
Minister Antonio and Sista Michelle Washington
Let's Pray
Dear Lord,
We praise your great name for the spouses that you have blessed us with. We realize that you have joined us together and for this we are so grateful. Please continue to bless our marriages. Help us to honor you by continuing to love the ones that we are with. May we always honor the marital vows that we made toward our spouses. We pray all these things in your praiseworthy name, Jesus. Amen.
Teatime with Tabby Brew of the Lord's Power
Genesis 18:18 (NIV)"Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him."
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV) "Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV) "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."
Ephesians 3:7 (NIV) "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power."
Colossians 1:11 (NIV) "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience."
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters,
I pray that this blizzard we have experienced here in MD has been nothing more than a nuisance to you and your family. I must give God praise and thanks that my family and I have all been safe, warm, fed and full laughter through this storm. Now this doesn't mean there haven't been storms of life but God has provided even through them in this wintery mess. I must also give Him great thanks and praise for the gift that He saw to it for me to receive a year ago this week. One year ago, He gifted me with a brand new knee, the entire knee. After many years of pain and surgery, swelling, ice, heat, medication and therapy that all failed I received my new knee Jan 25, 2015. Let me share with you a little about how this ties into the brew God has prepared for us today. Let's grab our Tea Cups and seek to understand how in our greatest weakness the Lord's Power can and will always be more than enough to see us through.
As I began to share I have never had strong knees. I always remember them just not being like others. They were knobby and never very strong. Friends could run and run and be just fine, not me. I was the one in gym class that always made everyone run an extra lap because I just couldn't keep up. This was true of me when I was in boot camp too and advanced training for the military.
Now there was one thing that my knees were really good at as a kid. I could tie my legs up in knots and walk about on my knees. I'm guessing now that this may have lead to their demise. Well enough of that.... I want to share with you the great Power that lives within each of us. That is if you have chosen to accept Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior. What follows is one example of how the Lord revealed to me how to tap into that very power that resides within each of us always.
As I said, I am celebrating 1 year with my what I like call my bionic knee. Now it's not actually bionic but to me it is. Through this surgery and recovery I had to learn and decide who was my Brew Master. I had to learn and decide who was I going to rely on to get through what at times I thought was going to kill me. I would be lying if I said that I didn't lay in that hospital bed, on that PT Table, on that bicycle, and at home in my husband's recliner and beg the Lord to take me home. The pain was just that intense at times. Yet, I can sit here now and rejoice in that pain and relish it all. I don't know if you have ever been so far beyond what you, your mind, power and strength can manage or not. It doesn't necessarily have to be physical pain. It certainly can be emotional pain. It's a pain where your soul has no other options but one of these two.
1. To cry out to the Lord and God Creator of your soul, mind and body and completely and totally surrender everything; down to the next breath you need to survive.
OR
2. To completely give up and surrender to the pain and allow the Evil One to direct your next steps and fill your mind, body, and soul with more pain, anger, frustration and blame.
Now Brothers and Sisters, these are two very different outcomes. One you invite the Master of your Tea Cupboard to come in and pour His strength and endurance into you. Two, You surrender to the Brew of Spirit Filled Power. This doesn't necessarily change the circumstances or make everything perfect but I promise you that you will find refuge, release and comfort here. I assure you that this is true. I laid in that bed many nights and days and begged the Father to take me or take the pain. EVERYTIME when I stopped trying to make the pain stop or stopped scheming and planning He took over and I found refuge and relief from the pain and suffering. What a difficult Brew to accept and sip upon but it is worth its weight in sweet surrender.
Now Brothers and Sisters, I would remiss if I didn't share how often I have chosen the other brew in my lifetime. I have sipped upon this powerful brew that is nothing more than poison too many times. To be completely honest, I am probably sipping on it right now in certain situations in my life. I so desire to pour this brew out. As this brew brings nothing but more heartache, more physical pain, and suffering. The lies begin to swirl in and around in your cup. You can see them curdling your cream. You can feel the burn deep in your soul as you sip this in. Why then do I/we allow the Evil One to serve this up for us? Why do we not simply pour it out and not so much as take a sip?
I wish that I had the answer for that for you and me. It's an answer that I know can only come from the Lord. I am beginning to understand that if I don't want to drink that sour brew I must stop, drop and pray as soon as I see it curdling before me. I can't wait till I have tasted it to be sure that my eyes weren't tricking me. I must trust that small still voice within me. I know that this voice is the Grand Brew Master's Spirit that resides within me and if I choose to listen to it more and rely on it more that it will grow. I know that this voice will become louder than the one that screams out to me, the one who intends to fill me with self righteousness by offering offenses of others such as, "You have been offended." or "You have been hurt."or "You have been abandoned," or "You were given less than quality parts and life." If I/we choose to focus on these swirls in our Tea Cup we will surely turn as bitter as the brew that resides in these words.
Brothers and Sisters, what I want for each of us to take away with us today is to know that the Brew Master of our Souls will NEVER pour sour milk or bitter brews. Life may serve up some bitter brews but the Grand Brew Master can take them and turn them from Bitter to Better and Better to Best. We simply must trust that the Power of the Holy Spirit to change our lives, circumstances, and eternity. We must remember that truth, love, and salvation come to us from only One, Truly Powerful Brew Master, Christ.
Here are some practical ways to be able to tell if the Brew you are sipping is filled with the Power of the Spirit of Christ or the power of the Evil One.
1. Take the circumstance to God and ask that His Holy Spirit reveal to you what this is.
2. Stay in prayer about the circumstance. God will reveal Himself and His plans to you.
3. Have prayer partners praying for the Truth and Power of God to be revealed to you.
4. Most importantly compare the Brew before you to the Word of God. If there is any discrepancies then know immediately that this is not a Brew of the Power of God but rather a deception meant to sour your spirit. Praise God for the storm and continually seek to see His Power and Faithfulness in and through all things.
In closing today, as our Tea Party comes to an end for this week I must thank all the hands and feet of Christ that came and cared for me and my family while I recovered. I must thank the amazing surgeon, team, and all the healthcare workers that got me back to even greater and better than I was a year ago. I must also thank my husband for his love and support throughout this past year. Lastly, I must give all the PRAISE and GLORY to God for gifting me the new knee. Also for the many trials, failures, and success that have brought me to this Brew of Power in and through the one and only True Grand Brew Master, Jesus Christ.
Till next week, be sure you know who is pouring the Brews of life for you. Don't forget where you can go and get the most Power Filled Brew. The Brew of the Power of God that you will always need and can always depend upon. This Brew can always be found at end of yourself and the foot of the cross.
Love,
Tabby
Trust God for the Resolution
"Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds for you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
It is so true that many times we are hit with trials from out of nowhere. And quite often we wonder where God is in all of it. There are times when we doubt God, especially when going through times of testing. And then He so lovingly shows up on our behalf and we learn how to trust Him in spite of what we see, hear and feel. We have moments of doubt because we desperately want to believe Him.
Brothas and Sistas, doubt is a feeling. Belief is a choice. Choose to believe Him today regardless of what you see, hear and feel. He is well able. "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline."
Brothas and Sistas, are we thinking to much and not trusting in Him enough?" Do we believe in God's truths or Satan's lies? Is He greater in us than he who's in the world? Are we holding to His truths? John 8: 31-32 , says, "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."Fear is crippling. It will have you holding onto that tangible thing. But when you walk in the Spirit, with the Holy Spirit, He will lead you to opyour heart and mind to the infinite possibilities of God.
As believers in Christ we always say, "He's more than able, but don't we all have moments of unbelief and then the Holy Spirit brings back to our remembrance all that He has so graciously deliveres when we are so crippled with fear, we feel like we're being punished. Brothas and Sistas, have you ever caught yourself saying, "Oh Lord, why me? What did I do to deserve this?" But God is not the" I'm gonna get 'cha God." He loves us.
I ask you, "What do we have to fear? I believe we give people, situations, and the devil to much power. We have the power of the Holy Spirit within us. "For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." (Mark 11:23)
Satan will use every tactic he can to consume us with fear. I mean, have you ever been lied upon or lied to? That's just who Satan is, an accuser of the brethren. But as Christian Brothas and Sistas, we know a God who never lies, sleeps or slumbers. "If he be for us than who shall be against us?" "No weapon formed against us shall prosper." - past, present or future. We have to know that devil is a liar straight from the pit of hell! Brothas and Sistas, claim your victory today. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." That excites me so!
Speak life into your situation and trust God for the resolution!Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Amen Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Praise Him in His greatness!
Trials come our way to make us stronger, so that we may become better and not bitter!"
Prayer for Today
Dear Lord,
Help us to look to the hills for which comes our help. Our help comes from you. Thank you for being our defence and strong tower in whom we can place ALL our cares. We love you Jesus. In your precious name, Jesus, we pray. Amen
Its All In Your Mind
"As a man thinks so is he. " Proverbs 23:7
Good morning Brothers and Sisters,
If we don’t control our minds, we will never control us. Let’s go a step further if we don’t allow the Spirit of God to control our minds, we will never be Spirit controlled. We have to be mindful of our thoughts. In other words, we need to “think about what we are thinking about”.
We have to take control of our thoughts and bring them under the Lordship of Christ. Yes, it's true, there are times when we can become weary from all that Satan sends our way to try to defeat us. During these times we are tempted to walk around with a defeated mentality, but the bible tells us in Romans 8:37 that, "We are more than conquerors. "I like that phrase "more than", it indicates a quantifier meaning greater in size, amount, extent, or degree.
There is no situation that we don't stand to come out on top. There is positive in even the seemingly most negative situation because we all acquire growth from it. Just like the believers during Peter’s time we may need to change our mentality. One of my most favorite scriptures says, "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal (to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection) of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12:1, 2
We will not be able to perform the will of God until we renew our minds. The way that we think is so crucial to us walking in our destiny. If we don’t control our minds, we will not be able to control our lifestyle. When we continue to allow our minds to run on things that do not matter to the plan of God in our lives, we become controlled by those things without even realizing it.
My mother used to say, “An idle mind is the devil’s playground.” We have to remain vigilant and on guard when it come to what we allow to come into or rule our thinking. Negative thoughts lead to negative actions. “As a man thinketh so is he.” Proverbs 23:7a
Charles Stanley says, “Renewing the mind is a little like refinishing furniture. It is a two-stage process. It involves taking off the old and replacing it with the new. The old is the lies you have learned to tell or were taught by those around you; it is the attitudes and ideas that have become a part of your thinking but do not reflect reality. The new is the truth. To renew your mind is to involve yourself in the process of allowing God to bring to the surface the lies you have mistakenly accepted and replace them with truth. To the degree that you do this, your behavior will be transformed.”
We must remember revelation without application does not lead to transformation. It is absurd to listen to the word of God, not apply it and then expect change. It is as equally absurd to listen to the word, apply it, and then expect to remain the same. The word of God is not only life giving but it is ultimately life changing.
Many times, I hear people say that they chose to make a lifestyle change in order to be healthier. Brothers and Sisters, the change did not just take place with a willingness to exercise or make better food choices. You see there, first had to be a change of mind in order for the emotional and physical change to come forth. You see they had to apply the word that had been spoken in regard to the lifestyle change.
In the same way we must apply and live out His word. The definition of apply is implementation, use, exercise, utilization, practice, execution or employment.
Apply is an action word. In other words, we must do something in order to gain something. Change will not come via osmosis. A change of mind is what God is after and it will take some effort on our part. We must guard, gird, renew, and refresh our minds via the word and person of God.
The Greek word for change of mind is metanoia. This kind of change calls for a change in one's inner man. Metanoia literally means after thought. An afterthought comes forth after something has been said, an idea occurring later. Afterthought stems from it's root word thought. The definition of thought is meditation, reflection, consideration, contemplation and concentration.
Brothers and Sisters, after careful consideration, in depth meditation, considerable reflection, irrefutable consideration, relentless contemplation and deep concentration on God's word the end result must be an undaunting transformation. The question still remains, “What are you doing with the word that you have already been taught?”
Simply allow Gods word to change whats all in your mind.
Love
Denise
What Do You Believe?
"While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land.Two Blind Men Healed. When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Matthew 9:18 - 28"
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Brothas and Sistas, how do we handle situations and circumstances in our lives? Do we get angry with God or do we believe what He says will soon come to pass? As we look at our text prior to that Jesus was just finishing with His response to John's disciples in reference to the question,"How is it that they and the Pharisees fast often but Jesus disciples don't?" Just as He concluded with them, here comes the synagogue leader, whose name by the way is Jairus, who kneels before Jesus and says, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.”
There are three points I want to bring to your attention. Let's take a look at the first point.
First point
1. Positive - vs.18 "But come and put your hand on her and she will live." In times of uncertainty we must remain positive. Just like Jairus came to Jesus with a positive attitude believing what Jesus could do without doubting so should we remain positive in our uncertainties. Jairus having the faith as small as a mustard seed believed Jesus was able to bring her back to life and Jesus did just that." Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6
Second point
2. Persistent - vs. 20 - 22- For 12 years this woman had an issue of blood, but she didn't give up. The bible says, "She came up behind Him and touched the edge of His cloak. " She also said, " If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made whole!!" There are times when we may be praying for deliverance in some areas of our lives and yet it seems as though deliverance may never come but I encourage you to be like this woman. Be persistent and don't ever give up nor give in. Just because God hasn't come at the time we think He should doesn't mean He won't come at all. It took this woman 12 years before she received her healing and for some of us it has been weeks, months and perhaps years but God always comes on time. Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, He who has begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Third point
3. Personal - vs. 27 -28 - Here we see the two blind men following Jesus saying, "Have mercy on us Son of David!" Now notice they didn't stop either because they went in behind Him and Jesus asked, " Do you believe that I am able to do this?" And they answered, "Yes, Lord." When Jesus turned to them and posed the question in a personal way He already knew the answer. He is asking the same of us today. Whatever your need is, Whatever you are seeking God for...He is making it personal to you today. DO YOU BELIEVE I CAN DO THIS?
Our God is in the business of believing. He doesn't have a problem but we do? My question to you is....What do you believe?
Minister Antonio Washington
Prayer Time
Dear Lord,
We thank you for answering our every prayer whether is in one week, one month, one year, or many years we know that you are faithful. Lord, help us with our unbelief during those times when it looks as though you won't come through for us or you are just simply by our standards taking too long. May we walk in faith daily. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Building Up One Another with An End In Mind
"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:16
Good morning my precious Brothas and Sistas,
In my study time this morning I found that nearly every building that is custom designed and constructed, often requires a long time to complete. There are so many intricate details that are not only involved in the planning process but there are intricate details involved in watching the actual building take form. It is an often slow and tedious process. Often in ministry we get so frustrated when we tend to concentrate too much on where we perceive our Brothas and Sistas to be. The difference between us and Jesus is that he always focused on what and where His followers would one day be. That's why He changed Abrams name to Abraham, Sari's name to Sarah, Saul's name to Paul, Jacob's name to Israel, and Simon's name to Peter. Jesus saw and still sees amazing potential in all of His followers. If Jesus just concentrated on where they were or what they were when He found them he would have never spoken possibility into them.
My husband is an amazing encourager within the body and he often speaks possibility into the people that are around him. He will lovingly takes people who are at their lowest point in life and begins to pour positive into them. He is so extremely patient with people. I can remember when our kids where younger he would sit them and their friends on the living room chair and pour God's words into them and tell them about the amazing potential that they have in them. Many of them looked like they were going to pass out or kill over because he would have them sitting there for at least 2 hours at the least. Brothas and Sistas, you know how preachers are, they love to talk.
Many of those teenagers would often take part in our family vacations and God would give him opportunities to pour into them some more. After years of him ministering to them, many of those teenagers are beginning to do some positive things with their lives. They still deeply respect my husband today because of all that he did for them when they were younger. They always make it a point when they stop by and he asks them how they are doing, where they are with their future goals and their current accomplishments.
You see, when he first started pouring into them many of them did not know what they wanted to do or be beyond what they had been doing which was stealing, going to jail, cussing, getting high etc., I believe that those words that my husband spoke into them are bringing forth seeds of greatness as we speak. My husband has done the exact same thing with me.
Last weekend I heard a story about Pastor Ron Barnett of the Dream Center in Los Angeles and how he often meets drug dealers, prostitutes, people in prison etc., and he often speaks words of life into them by telling them that they will one day be one of his deacons, worship leaders, ushers, or youth pastors even before he actually gets to know them. Do you not know that very often those people that he speaks life into become the very things that he has spoken into them? That pastor does not call them what they are but by faith he calls them what they will one day become.
In Ephesians 4:16 we are told that we are to edify each other in love. The word edify means that we are to build; to establish; to improve enlighten or uplift. The Greek word for edification is oikodomeo or okedome which is defined as the act of building. This word means to promote Christian character. Ephesians 4:16 also says that we are to be "fitly joined together."
Fitly means proper size and shape for, suitable time or proper suits a given time, purpose, occasion or condition. There are times when the Brotha or Sista that we are ministering to may pluck our last nerve and we may think "Lord you must be confused. This IS NOT, IS NOT the right one that you want ME to minister to, to build into, to establish, to improve, to enlighten, or to promote Christian character in. Lord they are not right for me. They don't fit the bill of what I would expect them to be. This is not the right time, occasion, and they are not in the right condition for me to deal with them. Lord, you must be trippin'."But, Brothas and Sistas, as I mentioned to you in the beginning just like with any building project that requires a lot of time and effort, so does building into our Brothas or Sistas. It requires dedication and commitment on our part.
We have to see this process through. We must keep in mind that God is using us because He is building us all up. Build is defined as the act process art or occupation of constructing. Jesus is the master builder. He is well versed in the art of constructing His daughters and sons. He sees so much phenomenal potential in all of us. He is always involved in the intricate details of each one of His building projects and can see the finished project well ahead of time. He is building up other Brothas and Sistas through you because He has a desired end in mind. So please don't stop planting those seed of hope. You never know how far the power of an encouraging word will go.
Prayer Time
We love and adore you. thanks for all the times you encourage us when we are down. Help us to encourage our Brothas and Sistas the way you encourage us. May we be patient with them as you are with us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Teatime with Tabby - A Time for Everything
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
Psalm 9:9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Final Greetings Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I pray you have awoken today with the joy of the season in your heart. May we pray. Lord, I pray that the brew that is to be shared here today is yours. I pray that the words and intents are pleasing to you and honoring of your word and truth. I thank you in advance for the privilege and honor to share what you have put upon my heart today.
Brothers and Sisters, I do not know about you, but this season of the year always gets me thinking about time and how very precious it is and how particularly important it is that we spend it well. I am not sure I am not just getting more nostalgic as time passes with each new Christmas season or not. It is not a melancholy that I feel, its more an excitement of the time we have here. The opportunity to make memories that will surpass the test of time.
For me at least, this year has really impressed upon my spirit that we really all do have limited time in the hourglass of life and that is not only true for ourselves but for those we love and cherish. I am not sure if it is hitting my heart more intently this year since we lost my dad earlier this year or if it’s the fact that the cancer seems to be stealing a bit more of mom away each time I see her. She is still fighting no doubt about that but her energy is greatly reduced.
As I sit and speak to our Heavenly Father of my breaking heart, He reminds me that her timeline is not ending that it will continue just on the other side with Him as my dad awaits for her there. God reminds me that every day we have this side of heaven counts and that we must do all that we can to make it count.
How do we go about making it count. Well, the world would surely have their own definitions of how we make each day count. The world would tell us to make a name for ourselves, to build our own personal empire, to get and keep all the biggest and best toys etc. However, that is not what I believe God calls us to do with our time.
I believe that with each precious moment we have this side of heaven we are to make it count for Kingdom matters. Have I shared a smile with stranger as that one smile could be the smile that keeps that person from feeling unloved, unseen, and unnoticed? Did I listen to that person, friend, child, family member that was having a tough day or did I just nod and respond. Did I share the truth and love of Christ with 1 person today? Did I take a minute to look at the beauty of the sky or the trees today that God placed there for my personal view? Did I use the gifts and talents that God has built up in and through my life’s experiences, trials, hardships, and blessings to bless another person today?
Brothers and Sisters, the time we have here on this earth, we are called to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ. I pray that we will each especially this Christmas Season take time out to notice and make every day count. This year has been more than challenging as a nation and as a human race. We have encounter trials and struggles that have not impacted us for many generations. There are so many hurting and disillusioned in our midst that we could have a kingdom impact if simply stepped out of our personal strife and choose to put on God’s Eyes for moment and chose to do What Jesus Would Do for another.
Brothers and Sisters, I encourage you to be the Jesus to another in your midst today and every day. I pray that you will find your heart more inclined to making memories and making a difference over building your own personal empire. Seek out God’s wisdom and council He will lead you safely to bless another, and I promise you that every time you choose to set out to bless another, God will bless you in a manner you would not expect. We serve a Good God and One who deserves to be shared with the entire world. What I know to be true is that if we as the human race chose to do this our world would become a much better place for all of the Human Race. It is easy enough to do all we must do is invite Him to be a part of our day each day.
May God bless and keep you and your family safe. May you find a way to bless another today then another the next day. Remember it does not cost us a penny to share the love, and grace, and hope of Christ!!
Till next week,
Love, Tabby
Pride: The Root of All Sin
https://youtu.be/ySa3Vu4FUW8?list=PLOwSo8kHs4XSN2s8VwHGf64nW960MJ-u0
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall!" I Corinthians 10:12
Read Jeremiah 13:1-11
"I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom,and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?" Jeremiah 13:23
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Brothas and Sistas, pride will hide a man's faults to himself but magnify them to everybody else. Don't you find it strange when everybody else sees what you won't see. If you don't deal with pride it will intensify until it is irreversible.
We have to first understand what was going on during Jeremiah's day and what the linen cloth represented. First of all linen, was a garment worn by the Priest. The linen belt was symbolic of the intimate relationship between God and Israel. This was indeed a different time, but the principle is still the same today.
As the belt became dirtier it symbolized the sins of the people as they continued to do evil rather than obey God. Many times God wants us to seize the light of His glory but too often we won't. Even when pride gets in the leadership it will cause the whole house to be carried away captive. And when we don't yield to the Spirit of God He will let everyone see the shame of our pride. The bible tells us in I Corinthians 10:12 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall!"
Brothas and Sistas, lying, fornication, adultery, perverseness, homosexuality, covetousness, fornication, etc., these are just a few symptoms of the main problem; PRIDE. All of these sins get their root from PRIDE. The world ought to see the glory of God in us. His power honor and praise should be our radiance in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:" I Peter 2:9
Question(s): Brothas and Sistas, will thou be made clean? When shall it once be?
"There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians ever imagine that they are guilty themselves….The essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil; Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind…As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you." C.S. Lewis
Take care until next time.
Minister Antonio Washington
Prayer Time
Lord, we are grateful that you are more than able to set us free from sin once we confess it to you. Help us to repent of the root of our sin which is pride so that we may walk in your grace and mercy daily. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Learn To Receive
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32.
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
The hardest thing for us to do as givers is to receive. We are so used to giving to others that when someone wants to bless us we often feel as though we are undeserving. We forget that God has promised, "Give and it shall be given unto you. A GOOD measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be measured unto you." Luke 6:38
You see I am convinced that God looks out for those who look out for others but when it comes to me being on the receiving end I always feel as though someone else is so much more deserving than I am or may need it more than I do. This past Christmas I had the opportunity to have someone gift my family with a monetary donation to help with Christmas but because I thought someone else needed more than I did I passed the blessing along. Brothas and Sistas, eventhough I was out of work it never dawned on me that that could have been an answer to prayer for my family. I felt as though another family needed it more and God would make a way for us. Lol! The Lord dealt with me after that letting me know that there is nothing wrong with me being on the receiving end sometimes. And I have to be honest there has never been a time in my life that God has not supernaturally shown up when I prayed to Him in sincerity knowing He would indeed come through for me.
As givers we have to remember that we have a heavenly Father who gets great delight in answering our prayers when they line up with His will for our lives. "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! "Matthew 7:11 Our heavenly Father has already promised to" graciously give us all things" "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32.
Brothas and Sistas, We can experience some of the most awesome miracles which come as a result to answered prayer when we purpose in our hearts to be the givers that He already ordained us to be. We just have to be open to receive!
"The more you give, the more comes back to you, because God is the greatest giver in the universe, and He won't let you out give Him. Go ahead and try. See what happens."
- Randy Alcorn
Prayer of Faith
Lord, we bless your name for your manifold blessings. You are such an amazing God and we love you. Help us to be willing to receive all that you have purposed in your plans to bless us with knowing that it is an answer to prayer. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Its Time To Wake Up and Get Up
"When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region." Matthew 9:23
Good Morning Brothas and Sistas,
When you find yourself in a life or death situation choose life. Notice that once Jesus told the people that were crying that the girl wasn’t dead and just sleeping they laughed. Take note of Jesus's response, He removed everyone out of the room except His disciples and the mother and father. Why?
I believe Jesus wanted people in His presence who knew who He was and understood the power that He holds. Jesus needed some believers in the midst, people that were willing to trust with their whole heart and lean not on their own understanding. proverbs 3:5-6 Jesus wanted those who believed in What they didn’t see, He needed some "Faith Walkers" on deck. No doubters, nay Sayers or part-time believers in His midst.
Jesus Said that the child was not dead but merely asleep…My God!!! There are some people that seem like they are stuck in limbo. It appears that they are never going to go anywhere but its not what it seems. Remember we serve a gracious God that never gives up on us even when we are napping. The Father just patiently waits for us to wake up.
Brothas and Sistas, on this morning I declare and decree in the name of Jesus that every sleeping person in the body of Christ will not just wake up but Get UP!!!
If most of us are honest with ourselves, we know that God has told us to do something and we still haven't moved. Listen people of God, we are in the last days and there is no time to play around or to even be distracted with doubt. It's time to wake up Wake Up and Walk.
When the little girl got up Jesus told the parents not to tell anyone but He also told them to give her something to eat.
Brothas and Sistas, that sleep was so deep that she needed some nourishment to get her strength back. People of God even if you’re awake and you’re moving you are going to need some nourishment for the journey. I’m not talking about a cheese burger and some fries, I’m talking about digesting the word of God that is life and it will give you life.
The time to sleep is over!!!! Wake Up and Get Up!
Be Blessed,
Gina Murchison
Prayer Time
Father God, we just stand in awe of your grace and your power. We thank you for allowing us to see that you are in total control of both life and death. Father, please help us to wake up from the sleep that we sometimes find ourselves in as we walk in this Christian journey. God we desire to wake up and serve you with glory and honor. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Because You Loved Me
"Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 2That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." Genesis 2:22-24
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
God has established marriage for the welfare and happiness of mankind and it is sacred under God. The plan was with God and only with God in our lives can we work anything out with joy. Brothas and Sistas, your joys are doubled since the happiness of one has become the happiness of the other. You can now divide the load of your burdens because you share them.
To my Brothas, you are blessed as the head of the home. He has blessed you to provide and will sustain you under pressure. May your strength be her protection, your character (who you are) be her pride and may you so live that she will find in you the haven for which the heart she truly longs for. Also my friend, love is for more than having sex with your wife. She needs all around love, affection, understanding, listening, caressing and communicating. When she is hurting give her a hug to show her you care and to assure her that everything will be alright.
To my Sistas, may God continue to give you the tenderness that will make you great, give you a deep sense of understanding, and a great faith in God. May He (God) give you that inner beauty of the soul that never fades; eternal youth that is found in holding fast to the things that never age. May you love your husband with understanding, love him with appeal, when he's tense caress him with your whispers of love, encourage him when he's weak, and pray for his decision making and leadership for the family.
Brothas and Sistas, understand that marriage is not living merely for each other, it is two people joining alliances to serve God. Purpose in your hearts to give each other a great spiritual purpose in life. May you both seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all the other things shall be added unto you both. (Matthew 6:33) Please don't expect of each other the perfection that belongs only to God. May you minimize each others weaknesses (bad habits or things that annoy you). In other words, don't be so critical of each other. Brothas and Sistas, be quick to praise encourage, and magnify each other's strengths. Learn to see each other through a lover's (the way you met each other) kind and patient eyes.
As God prepares a work for you in His will, learn to develop your character as you walk together in Christ Jesus. You will endure enough tears to keep you tender, enough hurt to keep you humane and enough failure to keep your hands clenched tightly in His. And my friends, enough success to encourage you both in your walk with God.
Brothas and Sistas, never, ever take each other's love for granted, as we so often do, but faithfully serve God and one another until you both may rest in the loving arms of Jesus. This is my charge to you both, husbands and wives. Amen.
Till next time take care.
Minister Antonio Washington
Prayer of Faith
Thank you, Lord for giving us the gift of marriage. May we never, never take our spouses for granted. Help us to walk in love and look beyond each others fault. May we surrender ourselves to you and one another wholeheartedly so that you may be glorified in our marriages. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
A Brew of Resting and Trusting
Romans 8:28 (NIV ")And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose."
Psalm 42:5(NIV) "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Proverbs 4:16 (NIV) "For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble."
Proverbs 19:23 (NIV) "The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble."
2 Corinthians 12:9(NIV) "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
2 Corinthians 13:9 (NIV) "We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you."
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters,
I pray that you have awoken rested and restored. Today's Brew is all about how we are to rest when everything seems to be spinning out of control. Let’s grab our Tea cups and head over to the Grand Brew Masters table to sip in the truths He has brewed up for us today.
I sit here today with you I have opened up my tea cupboard and have laid out some tea leaves that tend to keep me from truly resting and leaning into Christ for all that I need to be truly refreshed and restored each day. Let's examine them together as they may just be some of the same brews that keep you from resting and trusting in our Grand Brew Master, Jesus.
· Money
· Relationships
· Work
· Health
Now I am quite sure that there are many more Brews of Unrest and Distrust that lay upon our tables various tables today. So I have just taken the big 4 that I never seem to fully be able to release into the hands of the Grand Brew Master- Jesus Christ. How are we to move from a place of unrest and distrust in regard to these or other matters? As our verses say above it seems so easy and simple to just say I have given this to the Lord and He will now carry this burden for me. Yet He boldly tells us that it will not be that easy.
Have you found in your own life that there are just those certain few things, circumstances, relationships, guilt's, betrayals of trust and diagnosis that you simply don't seem to be able to leave at the foot of the cross no matter how many times you try? You are not alone in that there are things that I know that I simple can't seem to be able to fully forgive, accept, excuse or simply let go of. How about you?
Brothers and Sisters, the GOOD news here is that our Savior Christ, our Grand Brew Masters, knows and understands. He waits so very patiently for us to come to Him, Trust in Him and Remain in Him so that these burdens can be relieved for good.
I offer a bit of hope in this area for you today. I have struggles in these various areas daily. With the challenges of work, a blended family, financial challenges and martial challenges just like many of you. The hope I can offer is that I have experienced real life changes in some of these areas of unrest, by finally completely giving them over to the Lord. I had to learn to take and keep my hands off of these things and in doing so the Lord has blessed me with rest in and peace in some of these challenging brews. He didn’t necessarily change the situation what He changed was my perspective and my need to be in control of the situation.
I want to share with you the visual dream that the Lord gave me to help me see what I was doing and how all of it was winding back up on top of me and making me feel as though I was drowning in all the brews of challenge and heartache in my life.
I had a very vivid dream I was taking the trash out but instead of my regular hefty bags each bag had a name or circumstance or challenge I was facing or had faced, sins of my past and unforgiveness that was in my heart. As I struggled to get all these bags that seemed to keep multiplying I heard the trash truck on my street. As I approached it there was Jesus on the back of the truck with His arms extended yelling to me, "I am here I will take them all no matter what!" As I began to hand them over to Him I began to feel lighter and more free. As I got to the last bag, something switched off in my head and I began taking the bags back from saying things like, "I need to clean this one up a bit before I could expect you to take it Lord." or "Lord this is simply too much for even you to forgive me for, I must keep it." This went on until I was buried in all the bad brews. As I looked up Jesus and the trash truck were slowing driving away. I could hear Him yelling to me that He wasn’t driving away I was driving Him away and that He would always be there when I was ready to finally unload all the garbage and that none of it was too messy or terrible or unforgiveable in His eyes.
Since that dream I have learned that I am one the one who chooses whether or not to find rest and restoration in our Lord Jesus Christ. Here are some of the brews that He has and continues to help me leave at the foot of the cross for Him.
Family and Relationships- There have been countless times when I was either displaced in the physical sense from my family or completely emotionally detached from my parents and siblings as young girl. This went on for years and finally one day the Lord simply opened those doors and restored our family. Now this didn't mend all the pain or brokenness. There is still healing and mending going on 20+ years later. Yet each time I give the Lord one of these matters, and completely remove my hands from it He has restored it and made anew in amazing ways.
Finances-This is always an area that I have struggled with as I am not good with math and can in all honesty be a bit impulsive. However, when I remarried 7yrs ago on a Friday when my then new husband went to work on Monday he was laid off. He remained out of work for 2 yrs. Over these last 7yrs this has happened countless times. This was and continues to be a very challenging brew for me each time it has occurred. However, when I look back over the years and take inventory of the Brews of those years I can see God's hand in all of it, being our provision, being our discipline, being our best and only True hope.
Health- I have battled many illnesses of my own and had a very sick child when he was growing up; praise God he is a healthy young adult now. I battled with endometrioses, depression, anxiety, and infertility to just name a few. I must tell you that during these years the light of Christ was dim in my life, I contemplated suicide more than once. I recall the night that I finally said to God "I can't take this pain, and sadness and sense of loss due to the infertility not another minute." I truly heard Him reply in my heart that my days of joy were coming and that I needed to stop fighting with the past and allow His forgiveness of my darkest sins and unforgiveness for hurts in my life. He went on to say that it is always His desire to give us our greatest hopes and dreams. I can't explain any better than to say that after that very long night I awoke refreshed and encouraged. My health issues were not immediately alleviated and I certainly have had new health matters to face. Yet He did give me my greatest desire of my heart a couple years later; which was to be a Mom.
Brothers and Sisters, as God's Word says there is no easy way to overcome these struggles and that we must be intentional about sipping in the Truth of Rest and Trust in the Lord our God. He boldly tells us that world and principalities of evil who will come against us and intend to destroy and steal our hope, faith, rest and trust in Christ Jesus. We need to band together with other liked minded believers daily to be encouraged and prayed for and praying for and encouraging our Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, our Grand Brew Master.
Here are a few things I have used over the years to regain my rest and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. It's my prayer that these help you or that God reveals His plan to lead you back to rest and trust in Him through our Tea Party today.
1. Place an empty chair in front of you and simply tell Christ as if you could see Him before you the challenges and matters of the heart and soul that keep you from receiving this brew and ask Him to guide you and help you. You may need to sit in silence and listen with your spirit for His loving truth to see you through.
2. Take a balloon and a marker and write upon it all your hurts, worries, anxieties, unforgiving thoughts, fears etc... Then simply say a prayer and allow the balloon to make its way to heaven. Then ask the Lord to release these matters from your spirit and then trust that He has done what He promises.
3. Take a balloon and write upon all your needs and hopes and dreams and say a prayer and send it to the heavens to our good, good God Then simply say a prayer and allow the balloon to make its way to heaven. Then ask the Lord to release these matters from your spirit and then trust that He has done what He Promises.
Lastly, through this process you must be completely in the mind set of surrender, and you must consciously remain in this place of surrender every time the enemy comes for you, as he will keep coming. How I prepare for these battles is I have index cards with God's truths about the matters I have released to Him. Then as the attacks come fast and furious I am able to pray His words over the attack and His truth will always win the battle.
I pray that we all practice staying present in the moment and being filled with God's leadings in our lives. May we each depart this tea party with as many Brews as we each need for today's battles. May we be prepared and armed with God's Brews of Truth, Hope, Restoration, knowledge and belief that God will be victorious no matter how we feel or what circumstances we are in. As we are never alone and never separated from our Savior Christ Jesus.
Till next week, Love and Rest I pray for each of us.
Love,
Tabby
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Watch "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made - Matt Redman" on YouTube
Song): Fearfully and Wonderfully Made - Matt Redman
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Have you ever noticed the creases of skin on your knuckles? I did about two weeks ago. Honestly, I really never noticed them before. They were just a part of my hand that I paid no attention to. But when I folded up my fingers, I saw how the excess skin disappeared.
I noticed that when I blink, the skin moves to assist my eyelids in moving. When I bend my elbow, the skin moves effortlessly, too. The skin folds have a unique purpose for our good and yet they go almost unnoticed. It made me stand in awe of the goodness of my God!
I know it seems like a small thing to take notice off but the real value is that God created us this way. And He took the time to think of all of these features to assure that the human body is able to function at its optimal best. There was a time, when I couldn’t move anything. I was bedridden for months. I had to practice blinking, yawning, and moving my limbs. I even had to practice sticking out my tongue because it too stopped moving.
God met with me every night at 2 a.m. so I could practice opening my hands because they were permanently closed. It took me years to recover but I am so gratefully that God took the time with me, personally, to show me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. And I thank Him for taking the time to be my healer and physical therapist.
Prayer:
Father, I thank You, for you have made me like You. You have created me in Your image and likeness, and You have blessed me to function like You. My body is a loving representation of Your glory. May I use all my members to glorify You daily. In thename of Jesus. Amen!
The Persuit of Excellence
"Therefore my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lords work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." I Corinthians 15:58
Good morning my Brothas and Sistas,
In order for us to pursue excellence we must first understand the meaning of excellence. Excellence means the fact or condition of excelling, superiority, surpassing goodness. Perfection means the act of perfecting, completion, fulfillment, finishing, ending, impeccability, flawlessness, and faultlessness. It is amazing how we excel in basketball, football, baseball, cooking, grooming ourselves, jobs, and businesses but there is little excellence in pursuing godliness. Instead we pursue perfection in the areas that the world deems important.
Listen Brothas and Sistas, perfection is not attainable and chasing it is pointless. Excellence on the other hand means not letting yourself off the hook, not cutting corners where it counts, and not coping out. It is being extraordinary which requires doing extra....and guess what? Extra isn't always easy. If you want to be a cut above your competition or to be an expert in your field or have a name that stands out among your customers or clients then you must strive for excellence. You have to know when you are giving too much attention to things that don't really matter and when to give extra attention to those that do.
II Corinthians 8:7 says, "But as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and the love from us that is in you, make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too."
I Thessalonians 4:1, 11 says, " Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk) that you may excel still more..... So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." NASB
Matthew 23:37-38 says, "Jesus said to him "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, this is the first and greatest commandment."
Brothas and Sistas, from these verses it clearly shows that God wants us, His people, to abound or excel in both what we are (inward character) and in what we do(behavior or good deeds). It seems obvious that there is no way one can love God with all his heart without seeking to do his or her best to the glory of God. You see the pursuit of excellence is both a goal and a mark of spiritual maturity. However, for this to be true, the pursuit of excellence must be motivated by the right values, priorities, and motives. If we go astray the the pursuit of excellence can quickly become a mark of immaturity and a result of our own obsession with our own significance.
Brothas and Sistas, excellence means being your best. Excellence means being better tomorrow that you were yesterday. Excellence means matching your practice with your potential. Pursuing excellence comes from doing the best we can with the gifts and abilities God gives, giving our best to the glory of God. But it is done without the spirit of competition or seeking to excel simply to be better than others. Excellence includes doing common everyday things but in very uncommon ways regardless of whether people are watching. The reality is that God sees our work and rewards us accordingly.
"Therefore my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lords work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." I Corinthians 15:58
God Bless,
Minister Antonio Washington
Its Time To Wake Up and Get Up
"When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region." Matthew 9:23
Good Morning Brothas and Sistas,
When you find yourself in a life or death situation choose life. Notice that once Jesus told the people that were crying that the girl wasn’t dead and just sleeping they laughed. Take note of Jesus's response, He removed everyone out of the room except His disciples and the mother and father. Why?
I believe Jesus wanted people in His presence who knew who He was and understood the power that He holds. Jesus needed some believers in the midst, people that were willing to trust with their whole heart and lean not on their own understanding. proverbs 3:5-6 Jesus wanted those who believed in What they didn’t see, He needed some "Faith Walkers" on deck. No doubters, nay Sayers or part-time believers in His midst.
Jesus Said that the child was not dead but merely asleep…My God!!! There are some people that seem like they are stuck in limbo. It appears that they are never going to go anywhere but its not what it seems. Remember we serve a gracious God that never gives up on us even when we are napping. The Father just patiently waits for us to wake up.
Brothas and Sistas, on this morning I declare and decree in the name of Jesus that every sleeping person in the body of Christ will not just wake up but Get UP!!!
If most of us are honest with ourselves, we know that God has told us to do something and we still haven't moved. Listen people of God, we are in the last days and there is no time to play around or to even be distracted with doubt. It's time to wake up Wake Up and Walk.
When the little girl got up Jesus told the parents not to tell anyone but He also told them to give her something to eat.
Brothas and Sistas, that sleep was so deep that she needed some nourishment to get her strength back. People of God even if you’re awake and you’re moving you are going to need some nourishment for the journey. I’m not talking about a cheese burger and some fries, I’m talking about digesting the word of God that is life and it will give you life.
The time to sleep is over!!!! Wake Up and Get Up!
Be Blessed,
Gina Murchison
Prayer Time
Father God, we just stand in awe of your grace and your power. We thank you for allowing us to see that you are in total control of both life and death. Father, please help us to wake up from the sleep that we sometimes find ourselves in as we walk in this Christian journey. God we desire to wake up and serve you with glory and honor. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Those Damaging Soul Ties
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).
Brothas and Sistas, we are going to take a break from our testimony and concentrate on expounding on the issue of family involvement in our marriages. We want to look at the family from God's point of view and talk about a phenomenon called unhealthy soul ties. The bible says, the husband is to leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife so that they may become one flesh. When it comes to the husbands immediate family his wife and children should be his primary focus. Whenever there is a strong connection with the family after holy matrimony has taken place between husband and wife there is a real strong possibility that there may be an unhealthy soul tie present that needs to be broken.
From the very beginning God’s intention has been that the man and woman’s soul ties with their parents should be broken prior to marriage. If this soul tie is not broken before the marriage it can have damaging effects. One problem could be that you are so busy comparing your spouse to your mother or father you can't even enjoy your spouse. Sistas, your husband is not your father. And Brothas, your wife is not your mother; so stop comparing the two.
The definition of a soul tie is the joining or knitting together of the bonds of a relationship. Godly soul ties occur when like-minded believers are together in the Lord: friends, marriage partners, believers to pastors, etc. Relationships that lack ‘God-centeredness’ can result in ungodly soul ties between friends, parents and children, siblings, marriage partners, former romantic or sexual partners, domineering authorities, etc. An unhealthy attachment with another can bring about a psychic control that can adversely affect ones life. Man’s soul consists of his mind, emotions, and will. A soul tie involves the joining of minds, ideas and views, as well as emotional unions in the feeling realm.
There are those mothers that will not let go of their adult children when they marry and become resentful and jealous of their new spouse. This mother will often find ways to exclude the spouse while holding on to and uplifting her adult child. This is meant to create division within the marriage in hopes of causing enough confusion so that the other spouse will become frustrated enough to walk out of the God ordained partnership.
The spouse can be manipulated into being there for the family. Often the invitation will be extended to one instead of both parties. This gives place to the enemy because it makes the other spouse feel left out. There have also been some instances when the spouse's family will shower them with extravagant gifts while on the other hand giving their marriage partner a cheap gift not fit for the neighbors pet.
Brothas and Sistas, these are just a few examples of unhealthy soul ties. We will continue this discussion next week. In the meantime here is a question for you to ponder. Are there any unhealthy soul ties in your marital relationship? See you next week. Take care.
Minister Antonio and Sista Michelle Washington
Teatime with Tabby Brew of the Lord's Power
Genesis 18:18 (NIV)"Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him."
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV) "Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV) "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."
Ephesians 3:7 (NIV) "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power."
Colossians 1:11 (NIV) "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience."
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters,
I pray that this blizzard we have experienced here in MD has been nothing more than a nuisance to you and your family. I must give God praise and thanks that my family and I have all been safe, warm, fed and full laughter through this storm. Now this doesn't mean there haven't been storms of life but God has provided even through them in this wintery mess. I must also give Him great thanks and praise for the gift that He saw to it for me to receive a year ago this week. One year ago, He gifted me with a brand new knee, the entire knee. After many years of pain and surgery, swelling, ice, heat, medication and therapy that all failed I received my new knee Jan 25, 2015. Let me share with you a little about how this ties into the brew God has prepared for us today. Let's grab our Tea Cups and seek to understand how in our greatest weakness the Lord's Power can and will always be more than enough to see us through.
As I began to share I have never had strong knees. I always remember them just not being like others. They were knobby and never very strong. Friends could run and run and be just fine, not me. I was the one in gym class that always made everyone run an extra lap because I just couldn't keep up. This was true of me when I was in boot camp too and advanced training for the military.
Now there was one thing that my knees were really good at as a kid. I could tie my legs up in knots and walk about on my knees. I'm guessing now that this may have lead to their demise. Well enough of that.... I want to share with you the great Power that lives within each of us. That is if you have chosen to accept Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior. What follows is one example of how the Lord revealed to me how to tap into that very power that resides within each of us always.
As I said, I am celebrating 1 year with my what I like call my bionic knee. Now it's not actually bionic but to me it is. Through this surgery and recovery I had to learn and decide who was my Brew Master. I had to learn and decide who was I going to rely on to get through what at times I thought was going to kill me. I would be lying if I said that I didn't lay in that hospital bed, on that PT Table, on that bicycle, and at home in my husband's recliner and beg the Lord to take me home. The pain was just that intense at times. Yet, I can sit here now and rejoice in that pain and relish it all. I don't know if you have ever been so far beyond what you, your mind, power and strength can manage or not. It doesn't necessarily have to be physical pain. It certainly can be emotional pain. It's a pain where your soul has no other options but one of these two.
1. To cry out to the Lord and God Creator of your soul, mind and body and completely and totally surrender everything; down to the next breath you need to survive.
OR
2. To completely give up and surrender to the pain and allow the Evil One to direct your next steps and fill your mind, body, and soul with more pain, anger, frustration and blame.
Now Brothers and Sisters, these are two very different outcomes. One you invite the Master of your Tea Cupboard to come in and pour His strength and endurance into you. Two, You surrender to the Brew of Spirit Filled Power. This doesn't necessarily change the circumstances or make everything perfect but I promise you that you will find refuge, release and comfort here. I assure you that this is true. I laid in that bed many nights and days and begged the Father to take me or take the pain. EVERYTIME when I stopped trying to make the pain stop or stopped scheming and planning He took over and I found refuge and relief from the pain and suffering. What a difficult Brew to accept and sip upon but it is worth its weight in sweet surrender.
Now Brothers and Sisters, I would remiss if I didn't share how often I have chosen the other brew in my lifetime. I have sipped upon this powerful brew that is nothing more than poison too many times. To be completely honest, I am probably sipping on it right now in certain situations in my life. I so desire to pour this brew out. As this brew brings nothing but more heartache, more physical pain, and suffering. The lies begin to swirl in and around in your cup. You can see them curdling your cream. You can feel the burn deep in your soul as you sip this in. Why then do I/we allow the Evil One to serve this up for us? Why do we not simply pour it out and not so much as take a sip?
I wish that I had the answer for that for you and me. It's an answer that I know can only come from the Lord. I am beginning to understand that if I don't want to drink that sour brew I must stop, drop and pray as soon as I see it curdling before me. I can't wait till I have tasted it to be sure that my eyes weren't tricking me. I must trust that small still voice within me. I know that this voice is the Grand Brew Master's Spirit that resides within me and if I choose to listen to it more and rely on it more that it will grow. I know that this voice will become louder than the one that screams out to me, the one who intends to fill me with self righteousness by offering offenses of others such as, "You have been offended." or "You have been hurt."or "You have been abandoned," or "You were given less than quality parts and life." If I/we choose to focus on these swirls in our Tea Cup we will surely turn as bitter as the brew that resides in these words.
Brothers and Sisters, what I want for each of us to take away with us today is to know that the Brew Master of our Souls will NEVER pour sour milk or bitter brews. Life may serve up some bitter brews but the Grand Brew Master can take them and turn them from Bitter to Better and Better to Best. We simply must trust that the Power of the Holy Spirit to change our lives, circumstances, and eternity. We must remember that truth, love, and salvation come to us from only One, Truly Powerful Brew Master, Christ.
Here are some practical ways to be able to tell if the Brew you are sipping is filled with the Power of the Spirit of Christ or the power of the Evil One.
1. Take the circumstance to God and ask that His Holy Spirit reveal to you what this is.
2. Stay in prayer about the circumstance. God will reveal Himself and His plans to you.
3. Have prayer partners praying for the Truth and Power of God to be revealed to you.
4. Most importantly compare the Brew before you to the Word of God. If there is any discrepancies then know immediately that this is not a Brew of the Power of God but rather a deception meant to sour your spirit. Praise God for the storm and continually seek to see His Power and Faithfulness in and through all things.
In closing today, as our Tea Party comes to an end for this week I must thank all the hands and feet of Christ that came and cared for me and my family while I recovered. I must thank the amazing surgeon, team, and all the healthcare workers that got me back to even greater and better than I was a year ago. I must also thank my husband for his love and support throughout this past year. Lastly, I must give all the PRAISE and GLORY to God for gifting me the new knee. Also for the many trials, failures, and success that have brought me to this Brew of Power in and through the one and only True Grand Brew Master, Jesus Christ.
Till next week, be sure you know who is pouring the Brews of life for you. Don't forget where you can go and get the most Power Filled Brew. The Brew of the Power of God that you will always need and can always depend upon. This Brew can always be found at end of yourself and the foot of the cross.
Love,
Tabby
Trust God for The Resolution
"Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds for you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
It is so true that many times we are hit with trials from out of nowhere. And quite often we wonder where God is in all of it. There are times when we doubt God, especially when going through times of testing. And then He so lovingly shows up on our behalf and we learn how to trust Him in spite of what we see, hear and feel. We have moments of doubt because we desperately want to believe Him.
Brothas and Sistas, doubt is a feeling. Belief is a choice. Choose to believe Him today regardless of what you see, hear and feel. He is well able. "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline."
Brothas and Sistas, are we thinking to much and not trusting in Him enough?" Do we believe in God's truths or Satan's lies? Is He greater in us than he who's in the world? Are we holding to His truths? John 8: 31-32 , says, "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."Fear is crippling. It will have you holding onto that tangible thing. But when you walk in the Spirit, with the Holy Spirit, He will lead you to opening your heart and mind to the infinite possibilities of God.
As believers in Christ we always say, "He's more than able, but don't we all have moments of unbelief and then the Holy Spirit brings back to our remembrance all that He has so graciously delivered us out of? At times when we are so crippled with fear, we feel like we're being punished. Brothas and Sistas, have you ever caught yourself saying, "Oh Lord, why me? What did I do to deserve this?" But God is not the" I'm gonna get 'cha God." He loves us.
I ask you, "What do we have to fear? I believe we give people, situations, and the devil to much power. We have the power of the Holy Spirit within us. "For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." (Mark 11:23)
Satan will use every tactic he can to consume us with fear. I mean, have you ever been lied upon or lied to? That's just who Satan is, an accuser of the brethren. But as Christian Brothas and Sistas, we know a God who never lies, sleeps or slumbers. "If he be for us than who shall be against us?" "No weapon formed against us shall prosper." - past, present or future. We have to know that devil is a liar straight from the pit of hell! Brothas and Sistas, claim your victory today. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." That excites me so!
Speak life into your situation and trust God for the resolution!Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Amen Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Praise Him in His greatness!
"Trials come our way to make us stronger, so that we may become better and not bitter!"
Prayer for Today
Dear Lord,
Help us to look to the hills for which comes our help. Our help comes from you. Thank you for being our defence and strong tower in whom we can place ALL our cares. We love you Jesus. In your precious name, Jesus, we pray. Amen
Learning to Let Go
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Life's lessons are so hard to learn at times. There are times when I would rather hit the reset button in order to avoid one of God's teachable moments. I do this especially when I know the end result can be painful. And I bet you do to.
One of those lessons just happen to deal with letting go of those whom we love. Brothas and Sistas, I know you must struggle with this too. There are some people that we love and admire so dearly that we are willing to disobey the promptings f the Holy Spirit in order to keep them close to us when He has clearly told us that keeping the relationship is more harmful than letting go.
Brothas and Sistas, we must learn to let go of people not only for our good but for their good as well. Believe it or not holding on is a form of idolatry. Anything or anyone that we cling to over doing God's will we unknowingly put in His place. His will should always be at the core of our Christian walk. It so easy to place people on the throne and develop unhealthy codependent alliances of which we can find ourselves compromising the very convictions that we are supposed to hold high.
Here is the question I pose to you.... How much of God's will are you willing to compromise at the expense of receiving His best because you are holding on to a relationship that He has clearly told you to let go of? Brothas and Sistas, learn to let go. Letting go not only brings you new found freedom but it frees the one that you are trying to hold on to. Amen.
Blessings,
Denise
Prayer of Faith
Thank you Lord for teaching us life's lessons. Help us to let go when we try so desperately to hold on to those you have told us to let go of. May we trust you more than we trust our emotions. We desire to have you and not people on the throne. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
A Brew of Faith and Blind Hope
Job 6:8 (NIV) 8 “Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for,"
Psalm 9:18 (NIV) "But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted(B) will never perish."
Psalm 25:5 (NIV) "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
Matthew 12:21(NIV) "In his name the nations will put their hope.”
1 Corinthians 13:7-13 (NIV) "It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ!!
I pray that you each awoke with the hope and truth that we do have a reason to have hope, in our Savior Jesus Christ. Lets Grab our Tea Cups and head over to the Grand Brew Masters table and receive what He has brewed for us today.
Hope and Blind Faith are words that the worldly use to describe our Faith in Christ. I'm not sure about you and your circle of friends, family, and co-workers but this lie is perpetrated continually in the media and, in some of my circles of my life. How do we respond to such word?. Have you heard, "Why would you have Faith in a God that allows the world to be this messed up?" How do you have Faith in a God you can't see? Have you heard statements like, "If your God is so faithful then why do you face adversity?" This list of slanderous statements and misconceptions about our God continue on and on by those who don't know Him.
How do we respond as Christians? What Brews do you turn to when faced with this kind of angry mob in your world? How would Jesus ask us to respond? How do you rectify all this in your own soul, heart and mind. I won't be deceptive here these are tough questions, yet they are foundational to our faith, our hope in Christ and our influence on those outside of our faith.
I don't know about you but I have always had what many call it Blind Faith, yet for me it's not. I can look back over my life and see His hand in every circumstance. This is not just the pleasant memories or the joyous occasions. I can see His hand in some of the worst circumstances I have ever walked, crawled, cried and suffered through.
Recently in a small group study the discussion was around such matters. The Pastor teaching was Matt Chandler from Dallas Texas. He asked a very probing question about adversity that left me filled with questions and wonder. He asked have we ever considered the adversities in our lives, the trials the tribulations, as God's way of growing us? Growing our faith, growing our dependence on Him, and growing our thirst for more of His Brews of Love, Grace, Hope and Joy.
Take a minute and really consider this, "Could our loving Father and Savior allow some hopeless, even tragic times in our lives to help us grow deeper in our faith? To grow deeper in our need to for Him. Deeper still in the hope of our salvation? As I am sure, you can imagine this thought this concept stirred a lot of great discussion and even some debating.
Please understand that Matt Chandler isn't saying that we serve a egomaniac for a God, he is saying that in this life and in this world we will have adversity and trials as it's a fallen world we live in. Throughout biblical times God allowed our pride, our arrogance, our flat out disobedience to land us in places like slavery for hundreds of years and a flood that wiped out the world. Persecution for those who openly worshiped, taught and preached His good word. Paul I believe said it best, "Philippians 1:21New International Version (NIV)21 For to me, to live is Christ(A) and to die is gain.
Brothers and Sisters, what we must come to understand is that if we aren't being challenged in our faith, in our walk, in our hope it will be much easier for the world to gain influence over our lives. It will be much easier for the world to influence our actions, our Hope, our Truth, and ultimately our belief in Christ and the Grace and love of the Cross itself.
How do we go about not allowing the world to dictate what and where our Hope and Faith come from ? How do we ensure that the influence of non believes and their false belief that our faith is blind and without reason for hope? How do we choose to face the trials of life with Paul's attitude, that to live or die for Christ, figuratively or physically is better than not ever knowing our Lord Jesus Christ?
Here are a few ways that I remind myself:
1. When I see and feel myself entering into one of these seasons, I begin journaling. It is for me the best tool to be able to look back in and through the difficult season to see God's hand in it and throughout it as He will never leave or forsake me or you.
2. Find a prayer partner someone that you trust implicitly and have scheduled time for daily prayer the more we place our hope and faith in Him the more visible His love becomes.
3. Read the Psalms for me there is no place to start to be reminded that God loves us and will not forsake us.
4. Read the books of the bible that Paul penned. He is probably my favorite New Testament bible hero.
5. Remember to put on your Armor of God Daily. (Ephesians 6:10-18
)
I pray that till we meet again that we will each choose to remember that adversity can be a lifeline to a great fuller and more intimate relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ.
Love,
Tabby
Are You Building Up or Tearing Down
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
I was working on a book recently and God asked me to use a lesson that He taught me years ago to illustrate the value of building a secure home. It was "The Lesson of the Birds Nest”. At first I thought, "How is that going to help the Sista’s with building a strong, holy family?" Then I remembered the lesson that I had learned from the birds nest.
During a rough time in my life, when everything was such a struggle such as family, friends, work, school, and my health, I learned about the
wisdom of the birds nest. On my way to school one day, I was riding the bus which gave me the freedom to enjoy the scenery, when I noticed high atop a tree a birds nest.
I had traveled that way every day and never noticed the nest before. As the bus passed the trees, I kept my eyes focused on the tree-lines along the road and every couple of trees I would notice more birds’ nests. The fact that there were so many of them surprised me, but what really caught my attention was that they were so high up in the trees. Another day I got a special treat along that same stretch of road when I noticed an eagles nest sitting high atop a utility pole. It was huge and I thought, “Wow!”
God whispered to me, “Have you ever noticed that the birds and eagles don’t build their nests low in the trees, they are always near the middle or near the top?” Before He asked, I hadn’t noticed. But now it made me think, "Hmmm, I wonder why?" I rationalized that it would only make sense to build them low to the ground instead of way up in the top of the tree. Then God interjected and explained, “It would make sense to you as a human, but as a bird or an eagle it makes sense to build far away from other predators that could invade the nest.
Building low to the ground would compromise the safety of the nest and the birds that dwell in them.” I had never thought about it that way. But then I began to ask more questions about the nest and God revealed some wonderful answers. He taught me about building a safe nest (home) and that, by His wisdom, the birds have the ability to build the nest, and it’s innate within them. They don’t use hammers, nails or a blueprint, they simply follow the wisdom of God. And that’s exactly what we should do when building our families and homes. I thought about the fact that the birds and eagles don’t have hammers and nails, all they have and all they need are their beaks, twigs, and God’s wisdom. With these resources they construct some of the most intricate structures in nature. It’s amazing when you think about it.
One day while I was riding I looked up as I do regularly now, to see a birds nest hanging from a tree. My first inclination was to become sad, but God showed me that even though the nest was hanging from the tree, it was still in the tree. Then He went on to teach me that, the birds nest is a secure structure when built on the specifications of God’s wisdom. The only thing that will demolish or interfere with that structure is a man made or natural disaster. It is structured to withstand high winds, torrential rain, and even snow.
From the lesson of the “birds nest” I’ve learned that without the proper guidance from God we will never have stable secure homes and families. It takes God’s wisdom to help us see that a home worth living in is a home not built with human hands. Its foundation must be setby the Word and wisdom of God. He has the blueprint to our lives and only He can instruct us in how to build (create) safe and secure families and homes.
Can you just imagine the kind of wisdom and the time it takes for a bird to build a birds nest? The gathering of the twigs and the intricate details that must go into laying each and every twig in exactly the right way to ntertwine them for stability so that the nest won’t be blown away. Or they could just go and get a bunch of twigs and drop them wherever and tthink nothing else about it, until the storm comes and the winds blow. But at thatpoint it will be too late and they won’t survive the storm.
I have found out that love (God) is in the details. God has made sure that those little birdies would have a safe place to live. He didn’t stop with themand He’s done the same for every creature in nature, especially the ones He dearly loves, us. Because Love (God) is in the details we need to mind the details. Sometimes we create families and homes with all the wrong kinds of people for all the wrong kinds of motives.
Then we find ourselves suffering in our own homes, when our homes should be our rest haven and a shelter from the storms. Proverbs 4: 5-9 reads, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.”
Proverbs 14:1 reads, “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” We need to be sure that we are building our house, not destroying it. For my single Sistas, this means, choosing a suitable mate. Give thought to the right kind of man God wants for you to create (build) a secure nest (future) with. For my married Sistas, be sure to respect your husbands and raise your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. This way you will strengthen your family and secure the nest (future). Just as God has given the birds a safe and enjoyable home, He wants us to have even more. Be mindful of how you’re building your nest (home).
Love,
Audrey
Prayer Time
Dear Lord,
We thank you for our families. We praise you for giving us a safe haven we call home. We pray that our precious Sistas would learn how to build up their homes instead of tearing them down with unwholesome speech or thoughtless deeds. Help them to build into their families by speaking wordsof life. Give them the wisdom to know how to strengthen their families with kindness. We pray all these things in your precious name. Jesus. Amen.
"You Love Her More Than Me"
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8, NIV).
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Brothas and Sistas, do you remember sibling rivalry when you were growing up? I do, and I remember what caused it. Jealousy! The green-eyed monster. That thing had my sister hating me and me really wanting to beat the mess out of her. And it all began with her perception that I was the favored child. For me I saw it differently; she was the favored child. She got what she wanted, when she wanted it, regardless of how much it cost. In the 70’s she got $35 shoes because she had big feet, and expensive taste, while my shoes were $12. But I settled for whatever our parents had. On the other hand while my parents cared for me more in my times of health crisis’s, which were many back then; my sister was left in the shadows of my needs. And she felt rejected.
Raising children is not an easy task. But raising children with different personalities and emotional and physical needs is even more daunting.
Where my parents couldn’t exactly give us the same attention at the same time, they did try to keep the balance of fairness; especially when it came to meeting the physical and financial needs. Like I mentioned before, when my sister got $35 shoes, I got $12 shoes. So
to keep things in proper balance, my parents would buy me two more pairs of shoes to keep the financial balance in check. My sister got the expensive shoes she wanted and I got two additional pairs of shoes. We were all happy.
It seems like an easy solution doesn’t it? But it isn’t, it’s a balancing act. As a parent you want to provide well for your children and you want to raise them with values, while at the same time teaching them to not be selfish and selfcentered. That’s not an easy thing to do, but it is necessary to strive for it. My parents not only took this approach with the shoes, but with all th financial issues concerning my sister and I. If I needed extra money for school, she got the same amount.
This is the one area of my childhood that I really appreciate, because it kept my sister and I equal. I never got more financially than she did. However; when it came to emotional needs, both of us lacked the attention we needed, because my parents just didn’t know how to meet those needs. Because they were not walking with God so he couldn’t meet theirs. But what they knew they did well.
For years my sister and I feuded over the issue of favoritism; she more than I. In her heart she really believed that our parents loved me more. After I gave my life to Christ, I sat with Him and we talked about it. I was all argued out and I had no defense. What He helped me to understand is that; our parents didn’t exactly favor either one of us. What they did was focus on meeting the individual needs. My sister’s need to look good was a primary value in her life because she aspired to become a model. For me the need was survival, I was sick and scared and I didn’t want to die.
Because God took the time to explain it to me, I was able to explain it to my sister. And now she and I are very close. We both realized that our parents loved us the best way they knew how as individuals. She now has two daughters and she realizes that their needs are different too. And just like us, her daughters think one is favored over the other. But that’s not true, they’re just loved differently, but with the same heart. Parent’s love your children equally while you meet the individual needs. Keep the balance of love.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8, NIV).
Love
Audrey
Have You Acted Foolishly
"You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time." I Samuel 13:13
“Choices will continually be necessary and -- let us not forget -- possible. Obedience to God is always possible. It is a deadly error to fall into the notion that when feelings are extremely strong we can do nothing but act on them.” ― Elisabeth Elliot
Good morning my Brothas and Sistas,
Do you know that there are those of us whom God will not use simply because we seem to think that we know best and go out on our own? When we do this, we in a sense expect God to follow rather than lead. We allow pride to rise and arrogance to lead. The end result is God will remove His presence from us and allow us to be unprotected from the enemies schemes.
Some of us refuse to believe what is being said when God speaks. We don't trust that He has our best interest at heart.
Remember Saul had this same problem and God would not use him either. "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time." I Samuel 13:13
God had already promised to deliver Israel according to I Samuel 12:22, but Saul's unbelief and disobedience came with a price causing God to have favor with one who had a heart for Him. In other words brothas, Saul cut himself off, not God. Saul's disobedience brought about consequences. And that's how it can be with us if we don't allow God to lead us.
“I think He made one law of that kind in order that there might be obedience. In all these other matters what you call obeying Him is but doing what seems good in your own eyes also. Is love content with that?” C.S. Lewis
Brothas and Sistas, don't act foolishly. Learn to obey His commands. God only uses those who seek after Him consistently and are willing to obey His commands.
"The true follower of Christ will not ask, "If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?" Rather he will say, "This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!" A. W. Tozer
Take care until next time.
Minister Antonio Washington
Prayer Time
Dear Lord,
We are so thankful that you lead us and guide us in every area of our lives when we put you in control of the steering wheel. Please help us to release our will to you. More importantly, help us to obey your commands so that we will not be guilty of acting foolishly. We pray all these things in your matchless name, Jesus. Amen
The Importance of Waiting Part II
But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself." Proverbs 6:32
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Let's continue with our series. Another reason that we should tell our children to wait until marriage before having sex is the repercussions it may have on them emotionally if they have sex ahead of time. Emotionally - Quite often our children will become depressed after they have
given up their virginity and given themselves over to another person especially when that individual chooses to be with someone else other than them afterwards.
This type of hurt can cause some young men and women to commit suicide or have suicidal thoughts simply because they regret giving it (their virginity) up in the first place. If they stay together over a period of time they eventually cease from getting to know one another on an emotional level and the relationship focuses on just sex. In other words, "Just make mefeel good (sexually) and that's it." "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,.." Galatians 5:19
Brothas and Sistas, it has also been known and I, myself have seen this, even if the person is being treated badly by the other individual they choose to stay in the relationship because of the soul tie created by them having sex. Since they have been joined sexually they began to crave that over having someone respect them and their body. I mean, after all he or she was the first. Therefore, making it harder to break up with them. "Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." I Corinthians 6:16
I also know of some individuals who use sex as an escape route from the hurt and disappointments in their lives. These individuals will not allow themselves to mature emotionally. They also will not seek proper counsel to get the help that they need. "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more." Ephesians 4:19
Brothas and Sistas, abstinence is not a bad thing. It's actually a good thing because waiting until you are sure of the individual that you believe God is sending your way will be a blessing and not a hindrance. "God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin." I Thessalonians 4:3
I want you to also keep in mind, couples who think living together first to see how it might work out, well the majority of the time they end up in divorce or never get married. "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body." I Corinthians 6:18
Next week I will share with you what to do if you have already done it or gone to far. I will also share the promises of God from His word and how to avoid getting caught up. Til then, my Brothas and Sistas, be blessed!
Minister Antonio Washington
Prayer Time
Dear Lord,
Thank you for being our Balm in Gilead. You can bring emotional healing to our children that have gone ahead of your will. Lord, your desire is that we practice sexual purity until you send us a mate and our desire today is to see our children walk in holiness. Please speak peace into the hearts of those that have given their virginity up . Help them to receive your unconditional love today in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Let Your "Yes" Be "Yes" and Your "No" Be "No"
"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:37
My Brothas and Sistas, as I was once told by my former pastor, "Character is who you are when no one is looking." Character is who you are striving to be and what you can be trusted with. Hmmm. Something to think about, huh? "For those who truly desire it, a good reputation and godly character is built patiently and not through devious or self-aggrandizing means. Based on this, reputation or a perceived good name is simply not enough without the character to accompany it.
Men and women of God, integrity is consistency between your actions and your inner condition over a period of time. John Maxwell quoted, " Integrity is the factor that determines which one will prevail. We struggle daily with situations that demand decisions between what we want to do and what we ought to do. Integrity establishes the ground rules for resolving these tensions. it determines who we are and how we will respond before the conflict even appears. Integrity welds what we say, think, and do, into a whole person so that permission is never granted for one of these to be out of sync."
Many of us, struggle with our identity in Christ and in a sense struggle with our character and integrity. It is all a process of, "Simply letting your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:37
Until next time.
Minister Antonio Washington
Dear Lord,
We thank you for our phenomenal Brothas and Sistas. Give them the ability to be men and women of character and integrity. We pray that they would know above all else that you have great plans for them if they be willing to surrender their lives to you so that they can be used to the upmost. Let their yes be yes and their no be no. Help them to walk in consistency by living by your precepts daily. We pray that they would walk in newness of life and learn to live the abundant life in you. We pray all these things in your trustworthy name, Jesus. Amen.
The Message of Grace
"For our sake he made him to be sin that knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." I Cor. 5:21
Good morning Brothasa and Sistas,
Are you among the religious elite or saint? Saints recognize the true meaning of grace. The religious often focus on the judgment/ punishment/wrath of God coming on us for things we do and don't do and that is so far from the message of the New Testament; it is so far from the message of grace.
God poured all His wrath out on Jesus and there is no more wrath (penalty) for sin. The good news is Wrath WILL NOT fall on us. The consequences from the Father for our sins were placed on Jesus. He was the propitiation for our sins. So, the consequence we suffer is when we don't accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. We may reap what we sow when we do wrong but God no longer punishes us for sin.
When we try to make restitution for sin or try to make others feel guilty for sin we have missed the whole meaning of why He came. He is just in treating us as though we never sinned. Psalm 103:12 Now Brothas and Sistas, if He can do that for us why cant we do it for ourselves and others?....... If not for their sanity but for the sake of our own. Amen
Prayer Time
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your amazing grace. We are grateful that we do not have to make restitution for our sins. You paid the penalty for our sins and we are no longer condemned. We praise you for rescuing us from the wrath/judgment/punishment of sin. We love you and honor you today for sacrifice. Help us to release ourselves and others from any thing that would try to condemn. For it is in the mighty name of Jesus that we pray. Amen
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"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise." Psalm 51:16, 17
Top of the morning to you, Brothas, and Sistas
One of the most important qualities is holiness. Holiness is allowing ourselves to be set apart and separate.
Brothas and Sistas , don't get me wrong, we can't make ourselves holy, but we can progressively become holy only by the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit working in each of us. Isaiah 35:8 says, "And a highway will be there, it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it."Listen
brothas and sistas, God desires that our lives to be the road for others to be drawn to Christ.
We need a spiritual check up, which mainly deals with the heart. In other words, having a contrite heart is how humble and repentful we are
before God. Brothas and Sistas don't you know that God will allow circumstances in our lives to break us, so that we can have a love relationship with Him as He helps us repent when we need to. But as always it remains to be an act of our
will.
The prodigal son in Luke shows us that eventhough the son wanted all that belonged to him, he stepped away from the security blanket of his father,
after all that he went through he repented, he asked for forgiveness and
humbly returned to his father. Brothas, did you know that God can take a
heart that was hardened at one point and use the circumstances of life to Remember a proud heart exalts itself and the result is that we can become
independent from God but the heart that has been broken is like that of
Psalms 51:16, 17. "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do
not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a
broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise."
Until next time. Take care.
Minister Antonio Washington
Our Daily Bread/Prayer Time
"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure
in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and
contrite heart, you, God, will not despise."
Dear Lord,
We thank you for allowing us to see ourselves. Please help us to be men of
integrity. Thank you for using our brokenness to become men of character.
Help us to yield wholly to you daily. We pray all these things in your wonderful name, Jesus. Amen.