Sistas Saving Sistas
For Christ II
The Need for Hope
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.” I Peter 1:3-12
“Often, we endure trials seeking God's deliverance from them. Suffering is painful for us to endure or to see those we love endure. While our instinct is to flee trials, remember that even in the midst of suffering, God's will is being done.
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
In versus 3-5 Peter starts off with a doxology praise as to encourage his Christian brothers and sisters during their time of persecution. Peter shares with the Christian jews and the Gentiles that God, in His great mercy has given them a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
Life was hard for the Christians as they were viewed as being hostile like the Jews. They were being stereotyped. They were hated, poor, and seen as the atheist cannibals. Peter was letting them know that the persecution was real but there was hope and that hope was in Christ.
No one really wants to suffer and yet in vs 6 Peter says, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. Really, are you serious?! Peter is saying that in all this YOU, Brothas and Sistas, greatly rejoice.
Even though many of us are facing trials of all sorts in this letter Peter talks a lot about hope through suffering. Inside chapter II verse 20 he states how is it to your credit that you received a beating for doing wrong endure it but if you suffer for doing good and you endure it this is commendable before Christ. Chapter 3:15-17. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer who asks you to give the reason for hope that you have 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you as though something strange were happening to you but rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. However, if you suffer as a Christian do not be ashamed but praise God that you bear that name.”
Brothas and Sistas, Jesus is our hope in the midst of suffering!
“Often, we endure trials seeking God's deliverance from them. Suffering is painful for us to endure or to see those we love endure. While our instinct is to flee trials, remember that even in the midst of suffering, God's will is being done.” Paul Chappel
Are You Building Up Your Home or Tearing It 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 Brothas and Sistas 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 set by 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 intertwine 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 think nothing else about it, until the storm comes and the winds blow. But at that point 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 them and 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.”
Brothas and Sistas, we need to be sure that we are building our house, not destroying it. For my single Brothas and 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 Brothas and Sistas, be sure to respect your husbands/wives 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
Tea Time With Tabby
A Brew of Community Care
Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 6:10. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Continually serving others is a form of expressing our faith in and to God.
PROVERBS 19:17 “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
GALATIANS 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
JOHN 15:12-13 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Good day brothers and sisters in Christ I pray that you all have a community of believers and community of support in your life. May we pray. Lord, I come before you asking that you will share your heart for this brew through me this day.
Brothers and Sisters, I am very blessed to writing this from NOLA (New Orleans). This city with all its history and challenges is very eye opening to the needs of the community. As we go on our way through the city there are so many homeless, and lost people. People that clearly are in desperate need of mental health services, drug and alcohol rehab services, and generational poverty. Now I know that every city has these challenges but while here God just opened my eyes in a new way. As I moved about the city, I saw so many buildings that are vacant that could be so easily become homes or shelter for the homeless, with a little community effort all these lost people could have safe place to call home. We could generate jobs and support mechanisms to change the lives of so many.
Now God also showed me how there are people in this city who really take the time to care for those that they encounter. One perfect example was on the Trolly when the Trolly Driver just paused the ride to check in with a patron that she heard another patron say something to her about being upset. The Trolly driver just had to know that if this patron was safe and ok and was it another patron that upset her someone else. The Trolly driver, even said to the patron as she left the trolly that she would be looking for her the next day to ensure that she safe. This wasn’t the only time that we saw such kindness with each patron that had a disability, or mental health need or just didn’t seem to be able to afford the ride they would make the exception, as she was towing her 2 young children behind her.
I was able to have several conversations with various Uber drivers, about how this city, is broke and how they wished that they could find the resources and people to make a difference in these people's lives. It truly broke my heart.
Brothers and Sisters, we must understand that we are called to love all and care for all the lost. I am not saying that we have all the answers, but we can certainly share a smile, and bottle of water, or that loose change in our pocket. We can choose to not be judgmental. We can choose to be part of our community reformation projects to find ways to solve our communities' problems. We must remember that there is no one that desires to be addicted, living on the streets or dealing and living with the demons of mental illness, or PTSD. Grace needs to be our first response and followed with love and compassion. This is not to say that we are to enable poor choices, but to provide dignity and respect to those that are less fortunate than us and remember that we are all only 1 paycheck or one poor choice away from potentially being in their same situation.
I pray that we will all seek God’s guidance and wisdom to find ways to open our hearts and eyes, and minds to do our part to change the culture and reality of our communities, for those that are lost, hopeless, hurting and in need in our own communities.
WAYS TO HELP THE HOMELESS
1) Donate Basic Items
2) Cook & Serve A Meal
3) Donate Professional Skills
4) Job Opportunities
5) A Simple Smile
6)Serving Others & Changing Lives
7) Respect the homeless as individuals
8) Bring food, socks, coats, bags with personal hygiene products
These are just a few ways that we could help as an individual, so let's seek God’s heart and will and make a difference for one person at a time in our communities.
Love,
Tabby
The Favor of God
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
God never withholds His best from His children that desire to please Him with their obedience. God honors our obedience with favor. Even when we fall, if we confess and repent of our wrongdoing He is still inclined to bless us with favor! Our faith in God is what makes us prime candidates for His favor.
Favor is defined as gaining approval, acceptance, or special benefits or blessings according to Bakers Evangelical Dictionary. Websters tells us favor is friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior or approving consideration or attention. Brothas and Sistas, can you imagine gaining approval, acceptance or special benefits from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?
In Exodus 33:17 the word of God says, "And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” You see Moses had a special relationship with the Creator of the universe that could not be shaken because of Abrahams great faith and trust in the one who created him. Moses would commune with God. And God in turn blessed Him because of it. Exodus 33:11 says, "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend."
Not only did God talk to Moses as one who speaks to a friend but He promised that His presence would go with Moses and He would give him rest. Moses benefited from Gods favor because He pleased God.
Brothas and Sistas, when God grants you His favor no demon in hell can block what He has in store!
Blessings,
Sista Michelle
Put The Word On It
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Have you ever noticed that we are often too busy to engage in the one thing that gives us power to fight the good fight of faith which is the word of God? How many times during the week do we spend at least a half hour to an hour studying and or meditating on the word of God? I love Psalm 1 which states, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
You see Brothas and Sistas, when we immerse ourselves in the word of God we are strong enough to withstand any storm. Why is it that God placed palm trees in Florida, a state known for hurricanes and major storms? Palm trees have a very strong trunk. They are stronger than most trees. They fold into themsleves during strong winds and gust. They can wiithstand winds up to 145 miles per hour. Palm trees come out of storms unscathed.
And this is how our Heavenly Father wants us to come out of the storms of life, unscathed. We must FOLD (F-fortify, O- be open L -listen D-detach ourselves from things that interfere with our quiet times with God) ourselves into the word of God! The word of God has help and guidance for every issue, every trial and every mess we find ourselves in. We are simply called to PUT THE WORD ON IT!
And how do we do that?
1. Quote the word back to the Father! Eternity is attached to our prayers! The word is eternal! Therefore, we must put the word on it! Our words have power! Once they are mixed with faith, we become unstoppable. "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." I John 5:14, 15
3. Quote the Word over the situation! When the issue, trial or mess comes to mind we must quote/speak the work over it. If we consistenly think about it and never allow the word to work on the situation we become fearful and lose the power that God already ordained us to have when we walk in faith and not fear. Proverbs 23:7 says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." We can jeopardize our outcome with the things we say and think. Our thoughts can quickly become our reality. If it is in your heart it is coming out of your mouth. And we know that, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat it's fruit." Proverbs 18:21 Our words have the power to create misery or miracles.
Brothas and Sistas, watch the word work in your favor! Put the Word on It!
"There are four principles we need to maintain: First, read the Word of God. Second, consume the Word of God until it consumes you. Third believe the Word of God. Fourth, act on the Word." Smith Wigglesworth
Love ya
Sista Michelle
Psalm 91
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91
Good morniing Brothas and Sistas,
In the midst of trials I am reminded of Psalm 91, which is very comforting. We hear so many people looking for answers and yet no response. Some are in great fear of dying or losing a loved one and yet it seems the question is still, "Why?"
I can truly say that I don’t know why nor do I try to understand the reason pertaining to what is going on but what I can say if thee is something that gives me comfort and hope it’s Psalm 91.When you read this psalm it reassures you that God has YOU and is in control,
The Psalmist starts off with encouragement, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Brothas and SIstas, that is a praise shout all by itself. Notice the Psalmist says in verse 2, "I will say (that's for all of the beleivers) of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust." That my friend is confidence in the creator.
Look at the assurance we have when we rest in the shadow of the Almighty from verses 3-8 and in vs. 9 the Psalmist states, "If you say, The Lord is my refuge and you make the Most High your dwelling." He is letting us know about the protection that is in store for us. In vs. 14 I like it when he states, ""Because he (the beleiver) loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue, I will protect, I will answer, I will be with, I will deliver and honor." He ends with, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation." The Lord's protection, promises and provision keep us safe everytime! Amen and Thank you, Lord.
Til next time, Take care
Minister Antonio Washington
Roadblocks
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6. 7
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
You’ve taken the day off from work, packed the car, everything is running smoothly and then driving for a few hours you hit an unexpected roadblock. Now you come to a complete stop and you are forced to make a decision. You have several options to consider: a) heed to the sign b) turn around c) go another route d) go another route e) go somewhere else other than where you were initially supposed to go or f) wait or g) continue on the way.
In our marruages the questions that come to mind are:
1. Is there really something dangerous up ahead?
2. Was the roadblock for you?
3. Was it put there as a detour?
4. Are past experiences, emotions or other issues contributing to your decisions?
Roadblocks in our marriages can leave us with many questions as well as decisions relating to our path in our marriage walk. You see sometimes roadblocks are put in our path to detour us as a couple or individually to prevent us from going into dangerous territory but we have to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to know whether the roadblocks are of God or of the enemy.
Yes, the enemy, Satan can or will put roadblocks as we strive for oneness in our marriage to put it asunder or tear it apart. When roadblocks come just like going on a roadtrip where you must think things through before making a hostile decision so shall we when it comes to our marriages. We must pray for guidance, wisdom, and understanding as we make the decision about what to do or which way to go.
"God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him." Jim Elliott
Minister Antonio Washington
Tea Time with Tabby
“A Brew of Flipping the Script”
Isaiah 30:20 “Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
1 Peter 5:8
“Be alert and have a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Romans 16:20
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Matthew 16:23
“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Good morning, Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Its my hope that you are aware that you are loved and covered by the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ. May we pray? Lord, I ask that this brew be brought forth today with your heart and your mind and your intention. Lord please do not allow my frail humanism to interfere. Amen.
Let us head on over to the Grand Brew Master’s table and see what He has brewed for us today. As I opened my tea Cupboard this morning to see what Brew the Lord had for us today, I found this brew. It is called “Flip the Script.” Now you may think what an odd name for a brew of tea, but this brew has some especially important lessons and reminders for us all. So, grab your favorite mug or glass as this brew can be served up hot or cold.
The Lord presented me with a few questions when he prepared this brew for me today, I felt His leading to share them with you. As we begin to sip in this brew, I pray that we will all seek the Lord’s leading and guidance on how to respond to each.
First, I want to share why the Lord left this brew for me to share today. Satan has been busy lately in my life and honestly it was starting to wear me down and wear me out. Here are a few of his ongoing attacks against me in recent months.
1. My car was stolen.
2. At work there have been challenges and broken promises and much adversity for fellow teammates. There have been challenges when I had to lay my pride aside and simply know that God knows the truth.
3. Loss and grief
Well, these are the big ones so I am sure you can see where I am feeling a bit stretched and bit attacked on most fronts. Yet our Lord has since posed the following questions to me to help me see that even though I am in a time of adversity there is still blessing and most importantly He is in the fight with me.
Question 1: Tabby your car was stolen- did I not provide for you another vehicle as significantly less cost and hassle immediately for you.
Response: Yes, Lord my sister allowed me to add insurance and tags to her old car that very week. My sister and co-workers/friends provided me with transportation every day till the old car was registered and insured.
Lesson- God is in this with me and He made a way where I could not see one.
Question 2: Tabby, did I not move you into this new position before all the chaos and drama began impacting the day to day of your former team members. Did I not place you in an office with one my very own daughters who covers you in prayer and you her. Did she not remind you that manly credit for your hard work and creation is found in those who know your work, yet more importantly that I know I gifted you with these abilities.
Response: Yes Lord, I am blessed beyond measure to be a part of this smaller team at work. One that knows you and values prayer. One where we are always willing to lift one another up and pray for each other in every adverse situation that comes our way. You are so generous to even have many co-workers acknowledge the gifts and talents that you have blessed me with. Co-workers/friends that often remind me that what is done here on earth may not seem or feel right but that you in the end will make all right, and all knowledge and Glory will be yours.
Lesson- All the Glory and Credit for all my successes and my abilities belong to the Lord. I am truly protected and blessed and covered by His grace and love in all my days.
Question- Loss and Grief- Tabby do you not know that I understand your loss and feel your pain and sit in this place of loss with you?
Response: Yes, Lord I feel your presence and understand that you know my pain. I simply must choose to rest in your strength and presence and receive your comfort. I must choose to open up and allow those you put in my path to offer comfort to do just for me.
Lesson- Jesus walks before us into the wilderness and sees what is before us on the path. He does this in preparation for our journey so He is aware of all the pot holes, obstacles, and pitfalls we shall face. He then returns to the beginning of the path to walk along side us as we will encounter these challenges, but we will not have to face them alone.
So, I am sure you may still be asking yourself or me why is the Brew called “Flipping the Script?” Well, my friends, this is what the Lord said to me at work on Friday when I was feeling under pressure and under attack. He said that I could focus on the attacks, or I could look at them a different way. Change my perspective. When I gave this thought and I re-examined the attack with this new perspective it became clear. I could focus on the negative or find something positive. I chose at that moment to pull from my memory bank a comparable situation from the past and apply it to this brew. Suddenly it was a little funny and affirming that the work I have done is blessed by the Lord. What was found faulty was meniscal and really was not about me at all. It provided me with the opportunity to look at my work and make updates and only improve upon the good products that the Lord had already blessed me with developing. Once I did this my creative brain kicked in and while it was work, and challenging, I know now that the materials created are even better for the next group who will receive them. I am blessed beyond measure to have a supervisor who takes the time to climb down into the trenches with me and helps me to make the best of every adversity. She is there to help me each step of the way in improving upon the materials created. The team effort and collaboration and Christ being at the center of all of it is such an amazing blessing.
Now I hope and pray that this Brew of “Flipping the Script” will bless you and help you find some peace of mind, comfort, stability, and assurance in Christ’s love and never-ending support in your times of adversity.
Prayers, and Love till next week,
Tabby
Let Him Speak
"The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.1And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God,[a] and he failed to restrain them. Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering. ”
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Fulfillment comes when you etch time into your busy schedules to listen to what the Lord is saying to you. It is so easy to get caught up in chaos of the world and find yourself empty because you did not sit at the feet of Jesus to get refreshed. Do you not know that God has the ability to speak to you in a season of drought? God spoke to Samuel during a season when the word of the Lord was scarce. People were not having visions like they did at one time.
That is why Samuel had an issue understanding who the true messenger was when God called him and he mistakenly thought it was Eli. You see you have to have a trained ear, spiritual ear that is, to know the voice of God. And the only way that can happen is when you spend time with Him and let HIm lavish His love, provision and power on you.
After the first two times of missing the mark, Samuel listened to the godly wisdom of Eli and went to lay down in "his place". Samuel had a specific place set aside to listen to God pour into him and that's how it needs to be with us. We need to go lay down or sit in a special place set aside to hear God. By the third time Samuel had a trained ear because He allowed God to speak to Him over and over again. He recognized the voice of God and obeyed.
Take time to listen. God will place you in a time of listening because it is preparation for what's next. When we listen to Him we are better suited for the assignment! Brothas and Sistas, Let Him speak!
Sistas Michelle Washington
Just Ask!
"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Luke 11:9
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Sunday I attended an anointed church service and the woman preacher (Prophetess L.M.) called me to the front of the church. If you know me, you know my heart was in my mouth as I walked to the front. She began to confirm many things in my life and then she told me that God said, "All you have to do is "Ask" and He will give it to you."
As soon as she said this to me I knew that this message was from God. I must admit that I have no problem asking in prayer for anyone and everyone else except for myself. I have a problem asking God for what I want. I began to seek and ask God, "Why am I like this? What is wrong with me God? I can trust and believe that you will do it for others, but for some reason, I have a problem coming to you on behalf of myself."
The Holy Spirit whispered, "You're afraid of being disappointed and you're afraid that God will not give it to you because of that time when you asked him for that particular thing and it didn't come to pass." My God, I thought I had put that thing down. I thought I had released that!
Brothas and Sistas, the enemy is the father of lies and he is still trying to "kill, steal and destroy." John 10:10 The enemy knows that if I don't ask, I can't receive, "You have not because you ask not." James 4:2
God confirms in His word that, "If we ask, we will receive it." It's right there in His word and "God is not a man that he shall lie." Numbers 23:19
Summary:
Brothas and Sistas, Ask God, Seek God, Knock and God will answer! Don't be afraid to ask Daddy for anything. We are His Heirs. Roman 8:17
"One of the best aids to freedom is asking God for a lot of help-and asking often." Joyce Myers
Just Ask!!!
Gina M
Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready
God's Strength, Not Yours (Part 2)
Joshua 1:6-7
“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
I'm back! It's time to get back into the story of Joshua and the Israelites. Like I mentioned last week, they are about to transition to the land of Milk and Honey, but before they can go anywhere, God has several steps that need to be completed.
Remember, God said Get Ready, which means it's time for preparation! And the first order of business is with Joshua. This week we are going to see how God pours into Joshua!
Look at verses 6 and 7. 6 Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
Before God sends Joshua anywhere, He encourages him for the journey! I don't know about you, but as I read this, it is encouraging me, and I hope it's encouraging you for whatever journey God has called you to.
Let's look… "Be Strong and Courageous." God is encouraging Joshua with His Words! And God is still using His words to Encourage us. He didn't say Be Strong in Your Abilities! God is saying, "Be Strong In Me!" Remember, in vs. 5, God reminds Joshua that "He will never leave or forsake him." God was making it clear to Joshua that the journey he was about to encounter was a partnership, and the partnership was with God! Hallelujah! It's so good to know we aren't moving alone when God calls us to move!
Brothas and Sistas, God can handle anything thing that we go through! I don't know about you, but I hear God saying, "Put Your Weight on Me and Let me be your Strength." I feel like that's a word for someone who is reading this devotion! So often, we allow fear to enter our circumstances because we aren't calling on God; instead, we are analyzing our situation and leaving God out of the equation!
The next part of that verse says, "Because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them." God tells him to Be Strong and Courageous because He will lead these people! Not only is God a promise keeper, but He's going to use Joshua to complete the task. Wait a Minute! Think about it! Just like God is using Joshua to complete His promise, He will do the same thing with us! That's deep! We are the vehicle that God will use to answer someone else's promise!
Encouraging Scripture
2 Corinthians 12:9 – And He said to me, My Grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Well, I have to go for now! See you next week with Part 3. There are so many nuggets in this story! Be blessed, and remember to allow the Word of God to Encourage You! Get Ready! Get Ready!
The 6 Parts of Intimacy
"Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." I Peter 3:1-7
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
I know that it is pretty early in the morning but I have a question for you. What are the six parts of intimacy? You see most of the time when we think about intimacy in marriage we think about sexual intimacy but I want you to know intimacy goes far beyond the marriage bed.
1. Emotional Intimacy relates to your verbal and non-verbal communication. How you and and your spouse talk to each other and the way you share your thoughts, feelings, and desires will determine how well you can stay close and connected with one another. It deals with how well you share your words and the impact they have on your spouse emotionally. We cannot respond to our spouse with harshness and expect to dwell in peace and harmony or have genuine intimacy. How we respond to one another is everything. It's not what you say but it's how you say it. "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart." I Peter 1:22
2. Physical Intimacy is different from sexual intimacy. It is non-sexual touch that is so powerful in maintaining your closeness and connection whether it is holding hands, kisses on the cheek or a hug. This part is what leads to sexual intimacy but it doesn't always have to. "Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." I Corinthians 7:2-5
3. Financial Intimacy is a connection built from discussing, respecting and honoring your word in every financial decision in your marriage. When you both are financially secure, your marriage has more of a chance to not only thrive but survive. Intimacy flourishes in an atmosphere where a couple masters handling finances together under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Each financial decision should be bathed in prayer and followed by holding each other accountable. Tithing is first and foremost. "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?" Luke 14:28
4. Spiritual Intimacy is the way in which you are close and connected through your Christian beliefs displayed through worshipping publically and privately, praying together, and last but not least, serving together. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 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." I Corinthians 14:4-8
5. Recreational Intimacy is part of your relationship that refers to your times of fun and how you grow your closeness and connecting by spending time together and making memories. Date night is key. It gives you a chance to do something that you both can enjoy while enjoying the company of one another. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Phillipians 2:3-4
6. Sexual Intimacy encompasses everything about your connection with your spouse. It includes romance, sexual intercourse, initiating and foreplay. When the first five parts of intimacy are present in your marriage, the sixth will already be mastered. There is an explosiom of wedded bliss during sexual intimacy when time and attention is given to your marriage through intimacy. "How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights! This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes. I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples; And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak. I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me. Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves." Song of Solomon 7:6-12
“Great marriages don’t happen by luck or by accident. They are the result of a consistent investment of time, thoughtfulness, forgiveness, affection, prayer, mutual respect, and a rock-solid commitment between a husband and a wife.” —Dave Willis
Until next time,
Minister Antonio Washington
Tea Time With Tabby
A Brew of the Gift of Friendship
1 Samuel 20:42 "Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’
Job 29:4 "Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house," Proverbs 17:17
John 15:15 "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."
1 John 4:7 "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
God’s Love and Ours
1 John 4:11 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one anothe.r "
Good day brothers and sisters, I pray that you each know you have a eternal friendship in Jesus. Let us pray. Lord, I come before humbly and ask for you to lead this brew, may it be your truths and blessings shared.
Todays brew is sweet and kind, and filled with so many blessings. I pray that you will be able to sip it in and that you can relate to the sweetness in your own life. Yours may look different than mine, but one core factor that we share is that Jesus is the first and most important friendship any of us can have in this life.
I am truly blessed with a variety of friendships some from many years ago when I was young and frivolous. Some that I have had many years as an adult that have been with me through the darkest of times and have always stood in the gap for me, stood me up when I couldn’t, cried with me, and most certainly laughed with me through this crazy life.
One thing that is true in each is a mutual respect and love and consideration for each other. Most are also believers in Christ and all are good people that would give themselves over to care for and love upon those they love. They each in their own way are at time bright and shinning reminds of the friendship and loyalty and love we have in and through our relationship with Christ.
What does is it take to be a good friend, well for me it is an easy question to answer model your friendship efforts after those of Christ. Simply read the Gospels and you will see so many amazing examples of friendship that is built upon the friendship that Christ offered and shared with his disciples and everyone that was genuine that he encountered.
Here below are 12 basic principles of Christian friendship.
12 Characteristics of Christian Friendship
The following are twelve characteristics of friendships between believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1. Shared hope in the gospel
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel. (Colossians 1:3-5)
2. Realistic expectations
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
3. Framework for forgiveness
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13)
4. Family commitment
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)
5. Trustworthy discretion
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. (Proverbs 11:13)
6. True generosity
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his against him, how does God’s love abide in him? (1 John 3:17)
7. Encouragement to stand strong
.Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27)
8. Selfless love
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the form of servant. (Philippians 2:5-7)
9. The rule of peace.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)
10. A heart of service.
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do just as I have done to you. (John 13:14-15)
11. Gentle admonition
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
12. Shared eternal life
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
In conclusion today I pray that we will all ensure that we put these principals into action each day in our friendships and that we seek them in return.
Remember you always have a friend in Jesus no matter how lonely you may feel you are never without a true friend.
Love,
Tabby
Focus on the Outcome and Not the Mess
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
When we are in a situation it is so easy to focus on everything that is going on in that moment instead of focusing on where God is trying to take you while you are going through. There have been many times when I was in the midst of a trial and I whispered, "God this is a mess. Can you please get me out of it?" You see, the first thing we want as we are going into a trial is to get out of it as quicky as we can.
This reminds me of the times my children would go through a toy tunnel at the park. They would have fear, anxiety and excitement at the same time, racing through the tunnel to get to the other side. The tunnel represents darkness and uncertainty. Getting to the other side and coming out of it represented freedom from constriction and the unknown. Once they reached the end of the tunnel they got to come out into the bright sunlight and see all that was familiar and safe to them which included mom and dad.
You see if we were to pull them out of that tunnel when we senced they were afraid or uncertain they would lose the experience of what it felt like to go through it. Experience is life's best teacher. And Brothas and Sistas, that is what it is like when we are experiencing a trial. God, our loving Father helps us to go through it, He is cheering us on through the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit but He wants us to learn the lesson. He wants us to focus on the trials outcome and learn from the mess.
Some of us stay so focused on the mess that we never learn the lesson or experience the joy of getting to the other side of it. We stay stuck and we never advance to the next stage in life that God wants to promote us to. And you know what? That is where the enemy wants us to stay. HE DOES NOT WANT GOD'S BEST FOR US!
3 Points
1. It's not always about how you get to the other side of the trial that makes you victorious. It is about how you GO THROUGH the trial that makes you victorious. Go through the trial without mumuring and complaining. James says that we ought to "count it ALL joy when you go through various (many) trials knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience..." The last time I checked ALL means ALL. The Greek word for patience is hupomone which is described as great virtue defined as courageous endurance which defies evil. You see our response to the trial; our endurance in trials exemplifies our victory over the enemy and his persistent tauntings as we go through. Everything that we go through has a divine purpose. God has put His stamp of approval on it just like he did with Job because He wants us to learn from it and for Him to get the glory out of it. How else will we mature if things always go our way! Endurance or patience produces MATURITY! Some of us just need to grow up, y'all!
2. Focus on the WHO and not the WHAT! In other words........
a) Focus on Him and what He told you the last time He spoke to you. Stop looking at the trial or the mess! God has not changed His mind. "He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore." He keeps His promises! Hebrews 13:8
b) Focus on whose you are. You belong to Him. PERIOD! He has not left you in the mess. He is a loving father who adores you and is compassionate towards you. "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;" Psalm 103:13 "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
c) There is always a message in the mess. God does everything with purpose in mind! He is purpose driven and wants us to become a purpose driven people! This is not about you! Somebody else needs your testimony! "who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God." II Corinthians 1:4
Brothas and Sistas, this is not just about the mess! It is about the OUTCOME! So focus on the outcome and not the mess!
Blessings,
Sista Michelle
You Know My Name
"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’” Jereimah 29:11
"And oh how You walk with me Oh how You talk with me Oh how You tell me That I am Your own And oh how You comfort me
And oh how You counsel me Yet it still amazes me That I am Your friend So now, I pour out My heart to You Here in Your presence
I am made new So now, I pour out My heart to You Here in Your presence I am made new God, You know me So I trust You in my life, yeah
No fire can burn me No battle can turn me No mountain can stop me 'Cause You hold my hand Now I'm walking in Your victory
'Cause Your power is within me No giant can defeat me 'Cause You hold my hand No fire can burn me No battle can turn me
No mountain can stop me 'Cause You hold my hand Now I'm walking in Your victory 'Cause Your power is within me. You know my Name Tasha Cobbs
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
God knows your name and He has claimed you and I as His own. He knows every hair on your head. Did you hear me? He knows every hair on your head! Jeremiah says, "He knew us before we were born in our mother's womb." We need to understand that God chose us on purpose; for a purpose. God also has plans for us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "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."
He also created each one of us with unique gifts that we can bless the world with. When I look at the fact that God knows each one of us so intimately, it reminds me of the name El Roi which means the God who sees me. If you remember the story of Hagar where He used this name of God to describe this situation. Hagar says I have written about El Roi here. In other words, Brothas and Sistas, El Roi sees you in whatever circumstances you are in right now, right where you are and guess what He knows your name. You are not forgetten.
Psalm 139:1-24 says, "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; Even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, When I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; And in thy book all my members were written, Which in continuance were fashioned, When as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: Depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, And thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting."
You remember the story of Eli in I Samuel 3:1-20. He was almost blind in his old age. He went to bed and Samuel was sleeping in the tabernacle near the Ark of God and suddenly the Lord called out to Samuel. Samuel repled, "Yes, what is it?" And ran to Eli only to find out Eli didn't call him. it was the Lord that called Samuel 3 times but the 4th time Samuel answered by saying, " Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening. " The Lord speaks and pays special attention to each one of us. He calls us by name!
It is amazing when you think about how each one of us is formed by His hands which means we can be assured that we are valued simply and for no other reason than that we were created in His image. I need you to see this, nothing else that God created is made in His image but us. He made us with a purpose to reflect who He is and to give HIm glory with our lives.
Brothas and Sistas, He knows us! He speaks to us intimately! He knows our name!
Minister Antonio Washington
Get Ready! Get Ready! Get Ready! (Part 1)
Joshua 1:1-7
"After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
This chapter begins with a transition. The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another:
Transitions are exciting and uncomfortable simultaneously, especially when you’re in a relationship with God! You know what I mean? You know God is going to do something, but you don’t know what or how He will do it. It’s exciting and uncomfortable!
At the beginning of this text, Moses is gone, and God is calling forth his successor, Joshua. The baton has been passed to Joshua, who is about to enter unchartered territory. I’m not just talking about geographically but mentally.
Joshua previously had Moses to lean on and Moses’ relationship with God, but now it’s just Joshua and God. Joshua will have to learn to hear and obey the voice of God for himself. There is nothing like having a personal relationship with God! And when you get to the place where you converse with God! Yall, I’m talking about intimacy!!!! My God!! That’s a sacred place!
I love how God doesn’t waste any time giving Joshua instructions. He tells Joshua, “You and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give you.”
Yall! I absolutely love this! Get Ready! In other words, PREPARE YOURSELF FOR WHAT’S ABOUT TO HAPPEN! God is not only talking to Joshua but to those who are attached to him. Y’all, this thing is getting good! In verse 3, God says, I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
God promises Joshua that He will give him Every Place he sets his foot! That means that movement has to take place. Some of us have been giving up lip service but haven’t done anything but TALK. We are talking about it, but there hasn’t been any action to support it. There hasn’t been any Foot Stepping! Let’s break it down just a little more. God’s saying Whatever Territory he finds his feet moving in, over or through, God was going to give it to him. God’s Promises are All Good!
These are just a few of God’s Promises from His Word
•And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. PHIL 4:19
•Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. PSALM 37:4
•When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2
•And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
•God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19 NLT
My God! If God says it, we need to commit to believing it and putting our feet into action! We spend so much time questioning what God has already told us to do!
I have to go for now, but I’ll be back next week with part 2 of Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready. This thing is deep. See you next week!
Beware of Sweet Nothings
"He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself." Proverbs 6:32
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
When we are going through we tend to not be as spiritually keen to Satan's attacks. Brothas and Sistas, beware of "sweet nothings". In other words beware of the little subtle words and compliments of the opposite sex.
When you and your mate are not connecting you may become the target of one of Satans ploys to defile your marriage. For instance, a co-worker, friend or acquantance begins to give you subtle encouragement which is more like flattery to get to you. They may give gifts or cards or money especially if they know you and your spouse are stuggling financially. These are some of the things used to lure you into an affair. Don't get me wrong some gifts can be a direct answer to fervent prayer but there are other times when Satan is trying to set you up.
Brothas and Sistas, it starts out innocent but if given enough time, it will begin to mature into something more than what you may expect. Most people get involved in emotional affairs long before a physical affair begins. Men and women will begin to admire someone and begin to get infatuated with them and spend more time talking with them than their spouses. If you are spending more time on the phone with someone of the opposite sex you may need to check yourself and ask yourself why that is so.
After an emotional affair begins to occur it can quickly escalate into a physical affair. We must be careful as to how we treat each other because our uncomfortableness in our own relationship with our spouse is what Satan uses to lure us into an elicit relationship with someone else. Many times we will begin to talk to the other person about minsitry woes, financial woes, job pressure woes and relationship woes. We began to feel more comfortable talking to this person rather than our own spouses.
Our spouses should be our best friend. No one should ever get to fill that space. Be mindful of how much you share with and how much you rely on the opposite sex. And last but not least, be mindful of how the words, "I love you" are thrown around either verbally or written. "I Love you" is a term of endearment that can easily open a doorway into something unintended on your part. It is nothing wrong with saying, "I love you" to people but if said at the wrong time it can easily be taken the wrong way to plant a seed for something unholy to occur.
So, beware of sweet nothings. God has put you and your spouse together to dwell in love, committment and true intimacy. Please don't allow the enemy to destroy it with someone God never intended you to be with. "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Love and Blessings,
Minister Antonio washington
Tea Time With Tabby - A Brew of ADVERSITY
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11
"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. " Psalm 34:4-5
Good morning brothers and sisters.
I pray that you found your true worth and hope in Christ today and every day. May we pray. Lord I ask that you open my heart and mind to share the truth you have for us today.
Well lets grab our favorite mug and head to the cupboard to find what the Lord has left there for us today to brew. This brew is challenging for me as I find myself stuck here it seems. I don’t want to give the wrong impression I am filled with gratitude from the blessings in my life. I am just in what many call a season of adversity.
This brew is so heart conflicting for me maybe you can relate. I have so much to be grateful for and thankful and I am. I am safe and I have all my immediate needs met yet, I still under attack by the enemy and feel that at any minute it will all implode. Can you relate?
Many of the stressors in my life are ones that are so far out of my control and were not created by me. Certainly there are some that I am fully accountable for the poor choice, or decision or action. I will and we must always own up to that.
Let me share a few: Im still entangled with my ex-husband who I have been divorced from nearly a year now. He continues to harass and seek to destroy my life. My car was stolen, then the car my sister generously loaned me doesn’t like me and the key broke off in the ignition the 2nd day I was driving it. My finances are overwhelming due to some of my poor choices, but more so the result of the divorce from an abusive man. I lost my mom 5 months ago and I simply can’t seem process the grief alone or with sharing. I have lost my connection to my church after 25 years. Work is very stressful but also a great source of joy.
Now I don’t share this to gain sympathy or sorrow from anyone. I share this to say that I don’t know about you but I am finding it hard to open up and share these feelings and anxiety with the Lord and with those that love me. Most of my friends and family would say to you if asked is Tabby ok and they would say she is her normal bubbly self. I feel this need to put on a mask of joy, happiness, and control when inside I feel that I have come apart into a million pieces and I can’t do a 10-piece puzzle let alone the million pieces that I feel I have splintered into.
I want to encourage anyone else that is feeling this way that we have do have hope and support and love to overcome these attacks from the enemy. We have a God and Savior who is a master in this area of humanity. He only asks that we seek Him with our whole heart. That we allow His spirits leadings to direct our steps. Even if they seem scary and new. We must put our trust and faith in the one who is has been forever and will be forever. Most importantly He is in the business of saving broken people. He never allows us to go through a season of adversity that He hasn’t already walked the entire road to the end and back to meet us where we are. He is with us and will always be there to ensure we get to the end. He promises that all all our adversities will bring us blessings and will also bring him glory.
Brothers and Sisters let chose today to lay our burdens before Him and lean and stand on His promises and His words of Truth. Let us seek out those he has put in our lives to be support through and by him. Let’s be honest with the fact that we aren’t ok but that we know we can be with the love and support and encouragement of our Lord and Savior, and fellowship with other believers.
Lastly, I must encourage you that if your sadness is bad or the thoughts that run through your mind aren’t good or safe; PLEASE seek professional medical guidance. There is no shame in seeking professional support mental health challenges. God doesn’t want us to suffer in this manner when there is medical support available. I want you to know that treating mental health diagnoses is no different that treating cancer. They both need specialist that one can just be discovered by tests, the other requires more strength and bravery on our part to share and open up honestly about what we feeling. Both deserve the same dignity and quality of care and treatment. Please don’t believe the lies of the enemy that you are not worthy or that this is something to be ashamed of because it simply is not, and God’s Word surely doesn’t condemn you so don’t allow anyone else to do that either.
I pray that this brew helps you find your way to hope and love of Christ, and the peace that comes from knowing you are loved, accepted and deserve all the joy and peace that the Lord has for you.
Love
Tabby
It Ain't Over - Examine Your Perspective
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the Life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."
Good morning, Brothas and Sistas,
Lately, I've been noticing a spirit of Despair. And guess what? It's not only from the unsaved (those who don't know Christ) but from those of the US who declare the Name of Jesus as our Saviour……..
There is a lie….A lying spirit that has been released over the earth that is not only lying to the unsaved but the Christian followers of Christ have been sipping the same negative Koolaid or Tea or Whatever it's called! Yes, I said it….We have forgotten who we are and who we belong to.
Instead of having the mind of Christ, we are indulging with those with the mindset that it's "Over for us." You know what I mean. "God must have forgotten about me. Maybe he didn't say what I thought He said. Maybe I messed up along the way, and I'm no longer worthy of the Blessings of God. Maybe I'm not usable."
All those lies that the enemy is dropping in our spirit, and sometimes we just accept it! I think the issue is our… Perception- The ability to see, hear or become aware of something through the senses. As humans, we are used to using our senses for almost everything. We do it without even really thinking about it. But what if our Perception is off? What if our senses are damaged?
If we just took a page from Brother Paul, we would understand that things could be worse! Let's examine this together….
8 We are hard-pressed on every side…
•Pressed – Flattened, shaped, and smoothed by the application of pressure.
Something happens in the pressing. Something is forming in the pressing. Diamonds are made in the pressing.
Making of a diamond.
When carbon deposits deep within the earth (about 90-125) miles below the surface are subject to high temperature and pressure. Some stones take shape in a matter of days or months, while others take millions of years to materialize………
What do you think God is doing with us if it takes all that to form a diamond?
My God!!! It's not over….the pressing is a sign that we are closer than we think… The pressing is a prerequisite to something bigger. Let's change our perspective about pressing or pressure.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, But not crushed;
There's a difference between pressing and crushing…
Crushing – to press or squeeze something so hard that it breaks or loses its shape… in the pressing, something is being formed, but something is being destroyed in the crushing. Brother Paul is saying, Yes! I have things going on, and No, they don't feel Good But!!!!!!! It's not as bad as it could be!!!!
Perplexed, but not in Despair;
Perplexed – Filled with uncertainty. At a loss. If you are willing to be honest, can you admit to having these emotions? You don't know if you're coming or going? Life's twists and turns can make us feel uncertain.
But Paul says, "I'm Perplexed, Uncertain, and At a loss, but I'm not in Despair. He is saying I don't know what will happen next! But I know who does!!!! But I'm not in Despair!
•Despair – The complete loss or absence of hope
I don't know about you; I'm often uncertain, but I refuse to give up hope!
The Bible says Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the Evidence of things not seen.
Brothas and Sistas, even though we don't see it, we must believe that God's going to do something.
9 Persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
•Persecuted – harassed, opposed, or ill-treated
Ladies and Gentlemen…..Brothers and Sisters…..Being Persecuted is a prerequisite for being a Child of God! Jesus was Persecuted!
According to Matthew 5-10-12 – Persecution is not such a bad thing.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "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."
Guess What? Persecution is part of the Process!!!!!!! Understand you might be disrespected, talked about, poorly treated, or falsely accused, but That's when you know you're a real Christian. A genuine follower of Christ…
Persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
•Abandoned –deserted or cast off. Someone leaves and is never coming back.
Psalms 27:10 – "Even if my father and Mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close."
John 14:18 – "I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you."
Hebrews 13:15 –" I'll never leave you nor forsake you!"
Being persecuted is so much better than being abandoned…. If God turned His back away from Us, where would we be? I can handle the persecution from others, but I can not deal with the absence of God!
Struck down but not destroyed
•Struck down – to knock someone or something down with a heavy blow.
Brothas and Sistas, as we journey through this life, we will have many moments of being knocked down, but it's not about the knocks and bangs we encounter but about enduring! Remember, Paul said, struck down but not Destroyed!
Destroyed -Put an End to the Existence of Something.
Thank you, Brother Paul, for sharing your experience with us and letting us know it's not as bad as it seems!
In John 10:10, "the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy"…But later in that scripture, it says…"But I've come to give you Life and Life more abundantly……."
Brothas and Sistas, Don't Give Up! Don't Give In! Don't Surrender to Your Flesh! It's Not Over Till God Says It's Over!
And when you feel like giving up, remember vs. 7
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Inside of Us is a Treasure, and this Treasure is All-Powerful!
Blessings,
Gina
It's Coming
And [Elijah] said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’” (1 Kings 18:43-44)
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Expectancy is a funny thing. We often know in our spirit that something is on the way long before we experience it. God often gives us spiritual snapshots of what He has in store for our future when we take the time to be still long enough to listen to His Spirit. Expectancy is defined as thinking or hoping that something pleasant, will occur.
Our 20 year old daughter is pregnant and is expected to deliver in mid August. We have been preparing for our grandson's (God's gift to us) grand entrance into this wonderful world by going to appointments. applying for WIC, having a baby shower, buying personal items, etc., You see prepartion is everything. Somtimes it is just a feeling within that something it is on the way, something is about to manifest and we need to get ready for it's arrival. Other times we see the manifestation slowly appearing right before us just like that grandbaby. Either way we have been given a clear word that is on the way... It's Coming and we need to prepare.
So what do we do when there appears to be a drought (a period of prolonged dryness or lack of manifestation of the promise) in our lives after God has spoken a specific promise in our spirits? How do we handle the parched seasons in our lives when we know our God is a God of abundance ( Abundant Rain)? We do what Elijah did. Prepare and Trust in the God of Abundance even when don't physically see it. Elijah began to prepare His servant to go to Ahab, for the promise was on the way. His preparation included unwavering faith. He made a firm proclamation. He followed through on the direction given once the promise began to manifest.He could not see the promise but He knew by faith that is was on the way because it had been spoken. God is not a man that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19) His promises are . "Yes" and "Amen" II Corinthians 1:20
3 Points
1. We must have unwavering faith in spite of what it looks like. No matter how many times his servant went to look before the seventh time, it appreared to be nothing there. But praise God that 7 is the number of completion. Brothas and Sistas, the rain was already there because it had been spoken into existence before the servant could recieve it with his natural eye, How can the natural man recieve the things of the Spirit? I Corinthians 2:14 How can the natural eye recieve that which is of the Spirit?
2. Our proclamation must be whatever God has said to us about the promise, not what others are saying to us about the promise because It's Coming! The servant kept reporting no sign of rain but that was not what God said. Don't be swayed by man's words! Stick to the promise!
3. When the promise begins to manifest we must move forward in the direction that God is telling us to move or the directions that He is taking us without hesitation. Elijah moved swiftly. He was prepared and in turn prepared Ahab.
You see God always has promises for His prepared people. The more obeident that we are, the more we will see His promises manifest.
Brothas and Sistas, don't fret. Dont't worry about what you do or don'see. Walk this thing out in faith! Prepare and wait for the "abundance of rain" because, "It's Coming!'
Love ya,
Sista Michelle
How God Makes Himself Known
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I ray 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, 18 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." Ephesians 3: 14 - 19
Good morning Broths and Sistas,
The word know signifies having knowledge of or perception of someone or something. God’s desire is that we may know Him through the person of His Son, Jesus. He wants us to know Him as a loving Father. Yes, He is a Judge and King but He is also loving and merciful. His love for us is revealed through the Word, which is His Son, Jesus. Many times we focus on the God who gives out judgement for our sins not realizing the reason He sent Jesus was so that our sins could be forgiven and His love could be displayed in all that Jesus did on the cross. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
God tells us that “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah We see the love of the Father throughout God’s word we He often delivers His people from captivity. ‘It shall come about on that day,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘that I will break his yoke from off their neck and will tear off their bonds; and strangers will no longer make them their slaves.” Jeremiah 30:8
He also shows us his love through nature and how he cares for even the simplest of His creation and how He cares for us as well. Matthew 6:25-34 says, “Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto [a]the measure of his life? And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
We have to see beyond the law in order to embrace the Father’s great love. God is love.” I John 4:8 But if we look at the beginning of that scripture, we see that there is a prerequisite for experiencing His great love. It says, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” You must have the love of God in your heart in order to experience His great love. Once you know Him through the Son, you will experience His love.
And once again we learn of Him and His love though Jesus, the Word of God. The love that He has for His Son is insurmountable and it is the same with us. When we see Him as Luther later saw Him in life as a Father who gives and who share it changes our perspective. Luther thought that He was a God who just punished for sin but as he grew to know Him through the scriptures, He found out that He was so very loving.
He loves us just as an earthly father does. Scripture says, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11 And as any loving father would. He wants us to dwell with Him in His love just as He desires that for His very own Son; Jesus, He wants the same for us. His love is so undeniable.
I know we see this loved exemplified in how He cares for us daily. He gives us our daily bread. He supplies all of our needs. “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 And lastly, He grants us favor when we walk in obedience to His divine word, the person of Jesus Christ.
"“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely. ... He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.” ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Blessings,
Sistas Michelle
Rebuilding the Ruins of the Past
"I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work."
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
As our marriage grows there are levels of trust through which our relationships should progress. Every marriage is different in many ways. Archeologist Krist Hirst speculates there are civilizations built on the ruins of other civilizations to obtain a clear conscience. They wanted to wipe the sleight clean and start over so that they could do things better than they had done before. The word rebuild signifies restoring to it’s previous state or to build something again after it is damaged or destroyed.
The same is true for our marriages. There were some things that occurred and broke trust in our marriages whether it be infidelity, finances. etc., Starting fresh is when we acknowledge the painful experiences that have occurred and then ask God to rebuild our relationship in the areas of our past. Charles Stanley once demonstrated using an empty chair when dealing with pain from our past when that person is no longer around. Many people have found it to be effective even in their marriages when our spouses are still around and we are still hurting from the past
Eventhough it isn’t easy to revisit the past we must trust God within the process of restoration. We must ask God to show us how to begin to nurture and rebuild trust in our marriages. Sometimes it might require writing a letter or expressing ourselves by journaling about our history from our childhood, adolescence or later on in life whether it be related to sexual encounters, our anger issues or various types of abuse. There are times when these things are kept secret to everyone, even our spouses. Sharing our past with our spouses brings about newfound intimacy that draws us closer to our spouse and brings about an unbreakable bond.
Rebuilding the ruins of the past requires patience and commitment but more importantly it requires a willingness to see our marriages through the eyes and wisdom of God in spite of what has occurred in the past. In other words, the past can be used as a stepping stone into newfound hope for the future.
“Great marriages don’t happen by luck or by accident. They are the result of a consistent investment of time, thoughtfulness, forgiveness, affection, prayer, mutual respect, and a rock-solid commitment between a husband and a wife.” —Dave Willis
Blessings.
Minister Antonio Washington
Teatime with Tabby - “A Brew of your Godly Gift’s”
1 Corinthians 12
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore, I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. ...
Numbers 8:19
From among all the Israelites, I have given the Levites as gifts to Aaron and his sons to do the work at the tent of meeting on behalf of the Israelites and to make atonement for them so that no plague will strike the Israelites when they go near the sanctuary.”
Matthew 7:11
"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!" Romans 11:29
"for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable." Romans 12:6
Good morning Brothers and Sisters,
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I pray that today is a good day for you and that you feel the Lord’s Presence and Love in and around you. May we Pray? Lord, I come before you a meager servant who seeks to be pleasing to you, I am far from perfect and far from complete. Yet Lord I know that your love and my chosen faith with one day complete me and make me perfect in your sight. I thank you Lord for the many gifts and attributes you have blessed each and everyone of us with. Lord help me to share how we can each discover the many gifts and attributes that bring your name honor when we choose to use them to Glorify you!!!
Brothers and Sisters, have you ever taken inventory of your God given gifts, and attributes? Many of us have completed various test for either work or church to reveal how we are wired up by God. Its often used in churches and workplaces, and even in higher education to see where you will best serve, excel, or to guide you in a direction of meaningful work or service. There are 16 identified Spiritual Gifts identified in the Bible (Administration / Ruling, Apostleship / Pioneering, Discernment, Encouraging / Exhorting, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, Hospitality, Knowledge, Leadership, Pastor / Shepherding, Prophecy / Perceiving, Teaching, Serving / Ministry, Showing Mercy, Wisdom). Many people believe that everyone is gifted with all these gifts. I believe that if the Lord desires you to use a specific gift in specific time and circumstance then He will anoint you with that Gift.
Why you may be asking is this relevant and important? Brothers and Sisters, understanding how each of us are gifted as God expects for us to use these gifts to expand our influence and His Love and Grace to hurting and lost world. I feel that during this time of the Corona Virus that we believers must really dig in and pull out our spiritual gifts to shower others with the Truth of God, and His Grace, Mercy and Love. So many are hurting and isolated and lonely and scared, that we could each make a Kingdom impact by understanding how we are gifted.
I understand that many of us are at high risk for the Corona Virus or we have family members that we must consider when trying to find ways to serve others as this is real disease with true and life changing impact. Yet there are many ways that we can tap into those gifts without risking our own health or that of those we love. I would like to take the time here and now to give you some real life examples of how each of us can tap into these gifts and show this hurting world that our God is still in Control, that He is still Good, and that He still Reigns. Most importantly that He still Saves!!!
•Administration / Ruling- Be a leader of our family and demonstrate to them that God is still in Control
•Apostleship- Seek to hold Zoom dinner parties for your extended friends or family or if safe have social distancing picnic or meals and spend time together praying and caring for one another
•Pioneering, Discernment- Seek to reach out to friends and others that you know are struggling in their faith and with all the new challenges that this new normal places on us and assist them in seeking God’s will and God’s leading in their decisions and choices
• Encouraging- This is my favorite make a little card, or gift, or phone call or send a letter or email to someone you know that is isolated and lonely and send them some good cheer
• Exhorting, Evangelism- Take the time to know God’s word so that when He presents you with the opportunity to share your Faith and the Truth of Salvation you are prepared and armored up and ready to share
• Faith- Spend time with Lord daily to refill your Faith measures, so that you aren’t depleted when God calls you to do His Great Work
• Giving, Hospitality- Look for ways that you can give, even if it’s a few cans of food to your local food bank, make a meal for a neighbor, send a gift card for meal to a friend or church member
• Knowledge, Leadership, Pastor – Be the Pastor of your own flock with many churches not being able to meet in person its even more important that we as a family unit remain in Word of God and find ways to nourish our hunger for the Spirit of the Truth
• Shepherding,- Spend time with a new believer, either via phone, internet, to help them see God and His handywork in this time of the pandemic
•Prophecy – This is a gift that we must be very careful in using and we must ensure that we have wise, Godly people who are also seeking God’s direct affirmation before sharing we must ensure we are checking what we believe to be a prophetic word against God’s word in the Bible to ensure we aren’t being mislead
• Perceiving, - Spend time in Prayer and always check this against God’s Word to ensure that it matches!!!
•Teaching- Offer to hold a bible study with friends, your kids, your neighbors, either in person if safe or via phone or internet
•Serving -Seek out ways you can serve those in your home, or your extended family, co-workers, your pastor, your local food bank, the shut in’s in your community
•Ministry- Reach out to your Pastor or that of a local church and ask how you can be impact player for God’s Kingdom by maybe helping with calls to others in the church that need to be checked in with, host a prayer chain, set up meal train for Essential worker in your community and church
•Showing Mercy- This one is so easy to do thank an essential worker, thank the mail carrier, send a card to your local hospital staff and thank them for all their dedication, and for taking the risk daily to help and save others
• Wisdom- The clarification and direction of the Holy Spirit with all decisions and choices, and service
Brothers and Sisters, I hope that you will take this Brew to heart and that you will seek God’s Grace and Wisdom and leading in how you can be Jesus to a world of hurting and lost and frightened people. Show others that with Faith we have no need for Fear as we know that our God is always in control and that our God is always working all things together for his Good Purposes, and that they are never to harm or destroy us. Fear comes from the enemy of our souls so lets not give him anymore of our thoughts or time. I pray that you were blessed by this and that you are able to see God’s hand in every word.
Till next week,
Love,
Tabby
Compassion From the Cross
John 19:26-27 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
This scripture reference was a surprise to me but, yet a blessing for me. You see this saying was right up my alley, especially with what had taken place a year ago with my mom passing away. This word for me is more of a Selah moment that makes one think before responding. This word is about compassion and the willingness to take on responsibility without complaints, without regrets, hate, or discontentment. This kind of compassion is a willful submission of oneself and to do not my will but His will.
The word compassion literally means “to suffer together.” Researchers say it is defined as the feeling that surfaces when one is confronted with someone else’s suffering and is moved to the point of helping to alleviate the other persons suffering. It seems that ever since Mary was used to birth Jesus, her life has seen many sorrows. First she had to deal with Herod who wanted to kill her son, then the family is on the run to Egypt, she watched her son be praised one moment and then despised and rejected the next, lastly she witness a mock trial finding her son Jesus guilty of no wrong doing and being beaten and placed on a cross to be crucified. Here we see the fulfilment of Simeon’s prophecy in Luke 2:34-35 “This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel….., And a sword will pierce your own soul too”
We are talking about Mary the mother of Jesus, who sees a crown of thorns being pushed down on his head with blood dripping that she can’t stop, seeing them piercing his hands and his feet not able to loose him, him suspended up high and stretched wide but can’t touch him, his cry of thirst and can’t give him a drink, and being pierced on his side and can’t bind the wounds and yet she is still standing.
This word is truly about love, affection and it shows gratitude and respect. Notice the scripture never has Jesus calling Mary mother rather he addresses her as woman {which is dear woman to be appropriate}. Jesus is moved with compassion as he shows love and affection while speaking to his mother. Jesus being the first born had the task of taking care of his widow mother looks to her to let her know that she will be cared for and she don’t have to worry about anything.
John the disciple whom Jesus loved was the only male disciple there at the cross, what happened to Jesus homeboys? You know the ones whom he handpicked, the ones whom he taught and discipled, the ones he believed in, whom he washed their feet, prayed for and with them, and even encouraged them to see what they could become and yet in the moment of some serious heat they all abandoned him except one. John shows his gratitude to Jesus as an honor and excepts and respects the responsibility that was passed onto him as he takes Mary into his home as his mother caring for her until her death.
Question is: Who will you show the compassion of Christ too today?
Minister Washington
Pain on Purpose
“I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. “II Corinthians 12:7b-8
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
I remember not too long ago I shared with you the topic. “Don’t Let Pain Keep You from Your Purpose.” And for some reason I seem to be confronted with the subject of PAIN.” There are way too many of us as Christians falling and fading away due to PAIN.”
Here we have Paul who was once Saul, a persecutor of the church, now a proclaimer of the gospel of Jesus Christ, had a vision that he could not speak about yet excited about what he had seen. Debating on whether to boast about what he saw and deciding not to boast on himself but rather boast on Jesus. So to keep him from becoming conceited he was given a thorn in the flesh.
The Greek word for “Thorn” is SKOLOPS and in this part of the text the language indicates that it was physical, painful, humiliating. It was also the effects of divinely permitted satanic antagonism. The verb rendered here “I should (not) be exalted over much” and “to buffet” are in the present tense signifying recurrent action. indicating a constantly repeated attack.
There are three things this text shows us
1. The Pain was on Purpose.
2. There was a request from the Pain.
3. Understanding the Pain was for a Purpose.
1. The Pain was on Purpose
When pain hits us, most of us if not all, we begin to question and pray seeking God and when we don’t see anything happening from our praying, we are quick to give in or give up. Do anyone know about Robins? Robins sing at night to fight off disturbances within its territory. In other words what songs are we singing when pain hits us? You see Paul’s pain was given to him on purpose. Just like with Job, Joseph, the 3 Hebrew boys and Daniel, just to name a few. I Samuel 8:6-9 talks about how Israel asks for a king way before God sends them a king, which was supposed to be David, so they chose their own king. God tells Samuel to go ahead and listen to what the people want. He gave them what they wanted evnthough it was not His will. Sometime our pain comes from us not waiting for what we are supposed to receive. WE are too anxious. This is what happens when we go ahead of his will.
In Chapter 11 of II Corinthians while many were boasting about their ministries, Paul defended his own ministry by noting that he had worked harder than anybody in the Lord’s vineyard, He explains that he had been in prison more than any of the other so called super Apostles. He had been beaten more often and had been in frequent danger of death. According to verse 23, he goes on to say 5 times he had received 39 lashes according to the Jewish law. He had been beaten with rods, once he was stoned and literally left to die and three times he was shipwrecked. He had been in danger by the bandits in peril from his own countrymen and from the Gentiles, along with false brethren. He had often gone without sleep, in hunger. In thirst, in cold and as if these trials weren’t enough, he faced the pressure of his concern for all the fledging churches (meaning immature, inexperienced or undeveloped churches)
2. Request from the Pain
In verse 8 Paul makes a request to remove the thorn from his side. Listen there is a connection between Pain and Purpose. You see your purpose is hidden in your pain. Remember when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, how he asked the Father if it be possible…. Unless we see the purpose in our pain, we will remain painful. Ben Franklin once said “Those things that hurt, “instruct”, facing pain is inevitable, learning from them is optional. Those things that hurt us can also teach us something as well. The pain would keep coming until we finally learn the lessons.” Have you ever wondered why we experience pain? Or, do an assessment of our pain to find out the purpose of our pain? You know how we so eagerly quote Romans 8:28, That “all things work together for our good. But yet we forget that it also includes PAIN.” WE all go through this life with some sort of pain but not all of us would take the time to discover the purpose in our pain.
Amplified Version
“And we know with great confidence that God who is deeply concerned about us, causes all things to work together, as a plan for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to HIS plan and purpose”
There are two ways to look at pain. The first is to determine what to do in your pain (which is you) and the second is what to do with our pain (which is others). Pain does not destroy a man; it reveals him to himself.
Which leads me to my final point
Understanding the Pain
We must interpret our pain through the lens of God’s purpose and not our own interpretation. (Prov. 3:5, 6) Listen, do not let the confusion of your pain cloud up the clear purpose that it can serve in your life. I know you are probably saying “Are you for real?’ I’ll explain in a minute.
So, when we say, “All things work together….” Understand that God is capable of using every bad pain in our lives to produce a good purpose. Remember I said that there are two ways, 1st is you and the 2nd is others, in other words how has my pain affected my attitude towards others who may be going through the same pain also. How can the story of my pain offer hope to someone else? I remember a pastor once saying, “People see my glory, but they don’t know my story.”
Joyce Meyers went through horrific pain in her childhood with her father who mentally, verbally, sexually, and emotionally abused her. She talked about how she left home at 18 after being raped close to 200 times by her father. Imagine the pain and scars that were left on her self-esteem. But after giving her life to the Lord and as time passed, she began to understand her pain. God used her pain to write countless books and articles on the topics that related to her abuse. God still got the glory out of her pain!
No weapon formed against me shall prosper! I am more than a conqueror! The Lord is my shepherd! Remember God either allows or put us through pain on purpose because He has a greater plan in mind!
Blessings,
Minister Washington
Declutter Mind, Body, Soul
"He will keep you in perfect whose mind is stayed on thee." Isaiah 26:3
"Clutter is the physical reflection of a disorganized mind." Joshua Becker
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Brothas and Sistas,
Just recently I went through a process of decluttering. The things of life which included things and people were cluttering my space, my mind, my body and my spirit. I was getting enough sleep, not funtioning properly and was extremely tired. Life was waying me down. Therefore I needed to declutter.
What is the defintion of declutter? To remove unnecessary items from an untidy or overcrowded space but I am going to add to remove unnecessary items or people from an overcrowded mind and spirit.
• What’s involved in the process of decluttering? Getting rid of some stuff,
some people and some mindsets. The more you declutter, the more free space you create to attract more positive energy into your home. Now that’s dealing with the physical home but there is also Christ’s home – He resides in us! There is also some things , some people that you have allowed in your space (You, your essence, who you are becoming), into your life ! For instance, a closet that's stuffed so full of clothing you can’t close it. That is how it is when your mind is cluttered and needs decluttering. You can’t close or shut the door. This bring us to the mind. This is how the mind is you can’t shut your mind down. It is constantly going because it needs to be decluttered.
Philippians 4:8 Instructs believers to "think on those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and worthy of praise. If there is anything of excellence and worthy of praise, we are to think on these things."
• Along with those things that clutter our lives are toxins right and we all know toxins are not good for our body. We have to detox. Detox is defined as a process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances; detoxification: It is all a part of the decluttering process so that our bodies function well and we get the sleep we need. It is not just what we put into our bodies that is harmful but who we allow into our bodies can be harmful. Spirits are transferable. We gotta to be mindful of who and whose we are hooking up with. If there spirit is not connected to the Spirit then we don’t need them or it in our lives or our bodies. Because when their spirits are not aligned with the Spirit it cause irritants within our mind, body and spirit.
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” I Corinthians 6:19
• With our spirit we can have people draining or rubbing against our spirit. We have to detach ourselves from those people. We declutter our spirits by clinging to God’s word. “You see sometime the enemy send his agents in the form of people to wreck us jack up our minds because once he has our minds, he has US, he has our spirit, he has our essence. We have to learn to only allow positive energy there. Jehovah Shalom is the God of peace and He wants our spirits at peace and us walking in peace.
"He will keep you in perfect whose mind is stayed on thee." Isaiah 26:3
Blessing,
Sista Michelle
Faith in the Midst of Trials
"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
He Is There
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
Abba, Father
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6
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. Praise Him!
Sistas Michelle
Because You Loved Me
https://youtu.be/lTnZVwPFyC0
https://youtu.be/VTxnqUhhlIY
"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.
Have You Tried Mercy Hospital?
Luke 8
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Earlier this year the U. S. News and World Report listed the top 5 hospital in the U.S. (5) Northwestern Memorial Hospital, (4) The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, (3) The Cleveland Clinic, (2) The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, (1) The Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA But today as we look at Mark 5, this hospital is called Mercy Hospital. You see this hospital is a very special hospital.
First of all, What is mercy? Mercy is forgiveness with passion or withholding of harsh treatment that one has a right to inflict. According to the dictionary, Mercy is a mission performed to relieve suffering. It is an event to be grateful for. It is the compassion or forgiveness shown to someone. Although mercy is a noun it is a noun in action.
Listen when compassion acts to alleviate suffering it becomes Mercy.
Here at Mercy Hospital of Mark 5 there are three patients that are admitted or treated.
1) The Demonized Man
2) A Diseased Woman
3) A Dead Child
At this hospital there is only one doctor that is always on call. The good thing about this doctor versus the others is that he is a specialist in all not some but all fields. This doctor is known all over the world as the Great Physician.
This doctor has never had a condition that he could not handle.
The first was a demonized man vs. 1, 2 Whom the demons dominated his life and when asked what his name was, he stated that his name was Legion for we are many. These demons controlled his thinking, emotions, and his will, whatever they suggested, he obeyed without resistance. Here he lived amongst the dead, the graveyard being his home, no clothes, cutting himself, etc.,
His condition reminds us of how much power Satan can have if we continue in a sinful lifestyle. I remember something that was said some years ago early in my ministry about sin. “That sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” There were those who tried to help change his condition and behavior, but no one could.
The second was the woman with the issue of blood for twelve years vs 26 we see that she suffered many things of many physicians and spent all that she had and yet no results. She had tried everything and every physician and no one could cure her. You may have been dealing with a problem or sickness like this woman, You’ve tried to go to every doctor that seems to know your condition, you have spent money over money just for the hope that they can help you and get disappointed when they can’t. Maybe you should try Mercy Hospital. I hear that there is a doctor who is able to do exceedingly, and abundantly above all that you may ask or think. Do you want to try Him?
The third patient was a dead child vs, 22-23 where a ruler of the synagogue whose name was Jairus, his daughter lying at the stage of death and while dealing with another patient, (who was the woman with the issue of blood), someone tells Jairus that his daughter is dead at the age of 12. The Great Physician turns and says that she is not dead but asleep. You see at Mercy hospital no one is turned away and this great physician takes in any patient regardless of color, creed or gender not even age is a limit. You see Jesus had a sign out on the front saying “Whosoever will, let him come.” no matter what the problem may be. John 6:37 says, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.”
I can only speak for myself, but I’m so glad that I was able to visit Mercy Hospital several times in my life. Had it not been for the Great Physician I wouldn’t be here today, Because of his grace and mercy I have been forgiven and the punishment reduced.
In our modern day I know for me there are many specialists for usually one problem. When my sinus acts up, I have to go to my doctor who refers me to an ENT doctor who refers me to another specialist that strictly deals with that particular knowledge, then I am given medication that you find out the side effects can cause high blood pressure, swelling, rash, nausea, itching and in some cases death. Now you have multiple problems instead of 1 but with the Great Physician His medication side effects can give us happiness, love, peace, joy, contentment, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness.
Mercy allowed the blind to see.
Mercy allowed the Leppard to be clean.
Mercy allows paralysis to be able to move.
Mercy makes the withered hands become straight.
Mercy allows the deafness to hear,
Mercy allows the lame to walk.
Mercy allows the mute to speak.
There is nothing that the Great Physician can’t do at Mercy Hospital.
Have you tried Mercy Hospital?
Minister Antoni Washington
Truth or Consequences
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8;32
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Many married couples do not reveal all truth within their relationship. For most couples give the impression that everything is going well and they have nothing to hide. But in all actuality it may be the small things that we overlook or think that is not a problem can become an issue. The problem is that if we don't disclose everything to our spouse's especially from our childhood to adulthood it may come out later on in our marriage relationship. This in turn can cause what one may think is nothing minor to become something major.
These things are sometimes revealed over a period of time. What we may not see someone else does see. And when we are asked about it or if our spouse addresses it don't be so quick to dismiss it. The reason why is because our spouse may take it as though we did not reveal the whole truth and left certain parts out on purpose. Some of us do this because we fear losing the one you love may not want to continue to be with you.
Brothas and Sistas, we have to be transparent with our spouses regardless of the consequences. Not telling the whole truth can cause additional consequences because it gives the enemy a chance to use our past against us and bring a wedge between us and our spouses. Trust God for the outcome and be transparent. And remember the truth makes us free and brings healing not only to us individually but it brings healing to our marriages.
"Great marriages don’t happen by luck or by accident. They are the result of a consistent investment of time, thoughtfulness, forgiveness, affection, prayer, mutual respect, and a rock-solid commitment between a husband and a wife.” – Dave Willis
Blessings,
Minister Antonio Washington
Prayer of Faith
Lord, we thank you for our spouses. They are gifts from you. Help us to be as transparent as you would have us to be. For if we are transparent in telling the truth about our past the enemy can't use anything to come in between us. In Jesus name we pray.
The Problem with prIde (I)"
"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time," I Peter 5:5-6
Good Brothas and Sistas,
Sometimes when we receive too many accolades, we often become prideful. Many of us who were once thought to be humble no longer walk in humility. We enjoy the pat on the back and being in the limelight. Our fall from grace is so evident when we become angry about those that display the characteristics, we once held or get selected to do things we once enjoyed doing.
When we learn that all encouragement and acknowledgement is not meant to puff us up but to spear us on to greatness to glorify the Father and not our own selves we will not want to take the glory from our heavenly Father. When we love him and others the way the bible tells us to, we will not want all the glory for ourselves. Pride will cease when we take God at His word and not try to do things in our own strength Humility will come when we totally and fully rely upon our Heavenly Father.
The truth is we begin to think of ourselves as if we were on the same level with God. But God says in his word, “"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Isaiah 42:8 This scripture right here shows us that we need to remain humble and give all glory and honor and God. The glory does not belong to us.
We run to God or theology when we want God to fix us or it. We don’t want to live holy anymore. Some us think that just because we are Christians, we are supposed to be happy. Nowhere in the bible it says we are supposed to be happy. Pride would never recognize grace because it does not recognize humility. It takes great humility to recognize grace. It takes brokenness to recognize humility. It takes recognizing we are only sinners saved by grace to recognize grace.
We all need improvement. Change within does not happen overnight. It takes work. We need to repent on a regular when we sin.it shows humility when we say, “Please, forgive me, Lord. I was wrong. I broke your law. Many of us live lifestyles that are contradictory to the will, way and word of God. We would rather live like the world instead of immolate Christ. We have become flesh oriented instead of Spirit oriented.
The fact is we need to get back to our first love. We have drifted away. God loves his children and desires a relationship with us. He wants to dwell on the throne of our lives. The problem is we won’t do that. Sin can eat us alive becuase of our pride. It feeds off of us and grows throughout the body of Christ. For us to grow it needs to be cut off so that we can turn back to Christ. Pride turns us into something we were not created to be when we allow it. The world and it is things is so much more appealing to us. but Scripture says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
Brothas and Sistas remember....."Sin came through the pride of Lucifer and salvation came through the humility of Jesus." James Poonen
Have a blessed day!
Spreading the Love of Our Savior
"But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace." 1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT
Good morning Brothers and Sisters,
Our message was great in our Life Group on Sunday morning as well as in church. In fact, both were so closely related that it seemed that they were almost planned to be this way. Pastor Ben Rivera is working on a segment entitled Embrace and basically we discussed different ways to approach people in our lives that we normally would have a difficult time addressing, and basically Pastor Michael Petrucci's message was "Are We Missional?"
I would encourage everyone to listen to his message at www.praisede.org.
Brothers and Sisters. this leads me to a testimony that I experienced on Friday. I had taken Ryan to the center and noticed a young mother standing in front of the office holding on to a grocery cart. She had a small child wrapped in a sweatshirt and about three bags of groceries in the front. She was talking on the phone and I could tell that the conversation was going South quickly. I asked her if she was okay and she said she was. I asked her if she had a ride coming. She said she did but didn't know when the public transportation would get there. I asked her where she lived and if she would mind if I took her and her child home.
It was really cold and windy outside and her child was just diagnosed at the medical center there with double ear infections. I knew she wasn't a Christian but that didn't stop me from letting her know that my God wanted me to do this for her and that He loved her. It was a short ride to her home but I couldn't imagine walking it with a sick child.
When we arrived, I helped her get her things to her house. She was very thankful. I remembered I had fresh produce from the Help Center, and I gave her some fresh fruit. I said, "Goodbye." and she ran back to me and asked if she could give me a hug and we stood embracing each other for awhile. I told her that it wasn't me that blessed her, it was God.
Brothers and Sisters, I'm not sharing this story to gain any glory. I just wanted to share how I could see God working in my life this last week. I gave God all the glory, honor, and praise and I thanked Him for the opportunity to learn from Him.
“But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.” 1 Corinthians 15:10
Love,
Kim
Prayer Time
Thank you for opportunities to serve others, Living the Christian life is not about us. It is about allowing your light to shine through us so that we can touch others for you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Pierce the Plans of the Enemy Through Prayer
GOOD MORNING
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.
The Power of Love
https://youtu.be/h5Ua835sudU Slow Jam
"But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” Ruth 1: 16 - 17
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
I was talking to a young lady and I just happened to ask her if she was married and she said, "Yes." But when I inquired about her husband her response was very shallow. So when she inquired about different places she wanted to travel to I asked her, "Who would watch your daughter? Would it be your husband?" She replied. "No, my mother would watch her." I asked, "Is your mother watching your daughter because your husband is busy." She replied, "No." and I said, "I take it that you and your husband are separated." And she said, "Yes." She went on to give the reason eventhough I didn't ask. She said they were separated because he was repeating the same offense over and over.
So I asked her "Do you love him?" and she answered, "Yes, I do, very much even to the point where I have reconciled with him four times for the same thing. "
This couple have been together thirteen years but have been married one and a half years. I asked her if she would be willing to take him back again and she said, "Yes." Then I asked her, "Why?" She said, "I love him very much even with his faults."
Brothas and Sistas, eventhough they were going through some issues in their marriage she loved him in spite of this one particular fault. She did not have justifiable grounds according to the word of God to divorce him but she decided to separate so that he can have time to get it together. Most people would have walked away by now but her love for him has withstood the test of time.
Brothas and Sistas, has the power of love in your marriage withstood trials? Has the power of love withstood the test of time in your marriage? Are you in it to win it? “God intends and expects marriage to be a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman, based on the principles of biblical love. The relationship between Jesus Christ and His church is the supreme example of the committed love that a husband and wife are to follow in their relationship with each other.” ~ John C. Broger
Take care till next week.
Minister Antonio Washington
Prayer of Faith
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your commitment to our marriages. Help us to trust you with our marriages. May we fully commit them to you as we stay committed to one another. In Jeus name we pray. Amen.
Tea -Time with Tabby
A Brew of Prayer
Nehemiah 1:6
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.
Nehemiah 1:11
Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.
Psalm 4:1
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
Proverbs 15:8
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters, I pray that you awoke today remembering that God is always in control. May we pray. Lord today is a day of anxiousness for many with our Nations Elections occurring today. Lord we trust that you are in control and that the outcome will be your will.
Brothers and Sisters, I too feel the tension in the air surrounding the anxiety of the election. The fear of how our Great Nation with fail or succeed depending on the outcome of today. I must admit this is the first time in all my years of voting that I felt such a heaviness about the outcome from both parties. From speaking to friends and family who do not all desire the same outcome, yet have nearly the same exact fears about the outcome should their candidate not be the victor. Its quite enlightening to me to see how very cleverly Satan has provoked each side of this election. He has not chosen 1 candidate over the other he has simply paid attention to both and paid and even closer attention to each of our fears, worries, needs, and concerns. Then he built his own platform of deception and anxiety and fear for each of us to distract us from God.
This is not to say that the issues and concerns that we each have no matter which side you are on are not real and that they don’t have real life potential for harm or concern. Yet what Satan has done is whip them up and stir them around in our thoughts and minds so loudly that we have forgotten the most important Fact of all of life. God is in Control. God is in Control even when we can’t see Him working. Even when we can’t feel the presence or experience the blessings even in the worst of storms God is in Control.
Brother and Sisters, all this worry and concern will not change the outcome of todays election, nor will it stop the civil unrest that we all fear will follow the outcome of the election no what who is the victor. Yet we do have one very important weapon that many of us have forgotten to activate. That is Prayer. God will always hear His Children! God will always see us through no matter the hardship, no matter the circumstance. God will always be the Victor over all circumstances and situations. God will always use what Man and Satan have planned for Evil for the Good of His Children.
Therefore, Brothers and Sisters, lets take back the power from Satan today and put our hope and trust in the one and only one that is in control, and will always work all things for our good. Let’s take that anxiety, fear, worry, despair, anger and all the range of emotions and lay them at the alter of our Lord God. Let’s come together as a nation of God’s People and ask Him to intercede on our behalf. Lets truly be one Nation Under God, in all matters and in all circumstances. All are equal and loved, valued and worthy in God’s eyes.
Lord as we close this time with you today It’s my prayer that we will all catch every anxious thought, every fear, every slander and turn them into a prayer asking for you Will to be done.
Till next week,
Love Tabby
The Efects of Sin
There are so many effects for sin. The most immediate is guilt. We also have feelings of condemnation that stem from the enemy’s taunting us after we have broken God’s law. Sin always separates us from God just as it did with Adam and Eve. We no longer feel worthy to come into the presence of God. The guilt will make us physically hide, ashamed to go around those you are closest to where we are no longer free to avail yourself to those around us that may need encouragement or a friendly phone call.
The shame of sin makes us feel unworthy. After sin comes the effects of our sin. The effects of Adam and Eve had repercussions for all of humanity. Just as Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves, we often try to cover our very own sin. Nothing covers our sin but the blood of Jesus. Some of us go through great lengths for our sin never to be found out but God always knows just as He did with Adam and Eve, It was evident that he knew when He asked Adam, “Where art thou?”
Sin separates us from God. We no longer have the fellowship with Him that we once had. He becomes distant. We no longer feel the closeness we once felt. He is our life source but we will not feel that significant life giving source any longer until we repent and turn away from our sin.
When God asked Adam that question, I believe He knew exactly where Adam was. The question is, “Was Adam’s state of mind from getting caught up in sin so tainted with guilt and condemnation that he did not know where he was spiritually or positionally?” When we sin, it puts a damper on our relationships. I believe that those that are closest to us feel the brunt of it as well.
This happened with Jonah when he went to Tarshish instead of Nineveh and it affected all of those who were closest to him. “The word of the Lord came to Jonah with the command to preach against the wickedness of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Kingdom (Jonah 1;1-2). But Jonah instead chose to flee from the presence of the Lord (Jonah 1:10).
“But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” Jonah 1:3-6
Our disobedience makes us run from God’s presence and it affects others around us in ways we never thought was possible. The same happened with Adam and Eve. Their sin affected all of mankind. The only remedy or redemption came in the person of God’s Son. The blood of Jesus covered and still covers our sin.
When we sin, we don’t feel His Spirit calling us to serve Him as we once did. We are not as sensitive to His Spirit. Our sin will enslave us to the point we will love our sin more than we love Him. Therefore, we will choose our sin over Him and His will. It is also difficult for us to do God’s will because we no longer feel worthy. We don’t feel as though we are good enough to be used.
We become subject to the consequences of our sin through God’s discipline. We are walking in unrighteousness which allows us to be subject to the law’s curse. We are also subject to God’s wrath. Our sin eventually leads to spiritual death. The effects of our sin will show outwardly in us becoming prideful, fearful, self-justified and we will have broken relationships with our neighbors, loved ones or brothers and sisters in Christ.
"Sin has the devil for its father, shame for its companion, and death for its wages." ~ Thomas Watson
Sistas Michelle
Paid In Full
I Peter 1:18 “We were redeemed when the precious blood of Christ as a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
Good morning,
Only a Holy God can forgive sin. Forgiveness of sins comes through His son Jesus Christ. Christ was the substitute sacrifice that took the punishment that we deserved. Here we have someone who knew no sin. God made Him to be sin for us who suffered in our place. When I look back at the Passover in Ex. 12:22 it’s similar to Calvary. God provided the Passover Lamb to atone for sin, as when the blood was applied to the lintel and the door posts of the Jewish home as God instructed. It was done in a form of a cross. When you look at the death of Jesus. He was hung on a cross. I Peter 1:18 says, “We were redeemed when the precious blood of Christ as a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
I remember a sermon that my first pastor preached years ago during Resurrection Week, and I remembered him talking about, “For Christ hath once suffered.” And He talked about the background of Jesus when a man was out in prison there was a certificate of debt that the jailer would nail to the door and it had the crime (of offense) one side and the penalty of the crime on the other side and when the prisoner has served his time it was written on the certificate, “Paid in Full”. It was proof that everything was met. So when I look at the question, “How can a holy God forgive sin? It is through the crimson word of Jesus that was stamped, “Paid in Full.” His once sacrifice was for sins forever. That is a blessing.
“My sin in the past: forgiven. My current struggles: covered. My future failures: paid in full all by the marvelous, infinite, matchless grace found in the atoning work of the cross of Jesus Christ.” Matt Chandler
Minister Antnio Washington
Watch Your Mouth!
"The heart is deceitful above all things and is desperately wicked, who can know it?" Jeremiah 7:9https://youtu.be/6b1Cb_2Ls1E
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
What kind of words do we speak? Are they words of life or words of death? Has anyone ever said something to you or about you that had either a positive or negative affect on you? How did it make you feel?
The words that we speak to someone are a direct indication of what our hearts are really like. Look at Jeremiah 17:9. It says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and is desperately wicked, who can know it?" Listen whatever is in our hearts will eventually come out of our mouths. If there is envy is our hearts it is coming out. If there is jealousy in our hearts it IS coming out. If there IS covetousness is in our hearts it IS coming out. Brothas and Sistas, if there IS bitterness and hurt in our hearts it IS coming out. Guess what, IT'S ALL COMING OUT!
It does not matter how we look at it, we can't hide who we really are. "As a man thinks so is he." Proverbs 23:7 What we say reveals what is in our hearts. "For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee." Job 15:5, 6 "Don't you know we continually fill each other with the tongue." Kay Authur "In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them." Proverbs 14:3
In Psalm 141:3 David asks God "to set a watch before his mouth." Proverbs 15:1 shows us how to speak to our children. "A soft answer turns away wrath." Proverbs 27:15 describes what happens when we constantly repeat ourselves or nag those around us. A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike." Brothas and Sistas, we can be bad witnesses to the world with our tongues.
Malign is defined as the direct intention or desire to harm someone without just reaction or cause. James 3:5, 6 says, "the tongue is like fire. It spreads igniting everything in it's path." It takes our focus off of Jesus. Galatians 5:15 says, "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." Bite means to cut, tear or crush with the teeth, devour, to destroy, waste, to eat up greedily, to engulf. We must remember that even after we apologize the scar, eventhough it is not visible, it still remains.
Colossians 4:6 says our words should be "seasoned with salt." Brothas and Sistas, please remember words tend to last. They can either be used as weapons or tools. Sad as it may seem some of us would rather tear down than to build up. The people we meet daily are either a demolition site waiting to destroy or a construction opportunity ready to build.
Brothas and Sistas, let's be mindful of the words we speak. "Remember that the tongue speaks only what is in the heart." Theodore Epps
Prayer of Faith
Thank you Lord for teaching us the importance of watching the words that we speak. Help us to speak words of life and not words of death. May we be mindful of the affect of our words on those we love. Lord, make us construction sites ready to build and help us to stop being demolition sites, ready to tear down" when it comes to talking to our loved ones and those around us that are watching our witness. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Tea Time with Tabby -"Brew of Awesomeness"
Exodus 15:11 New International Version (NIV) 11 Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
Exodus 34:10 New International Version (NIV) 10 Then the Lord said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you.
Deuteronomy 10:17 New International Version (NIV)17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
Daniel 9:4 New International Version (NIV) 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
Luke 7:16 New International Version (NIV) 16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I pray that today you will be blessed and have your heart and eyes open to see all the Awesomeness God provides daily.
Brothers and Sisters, have you ever really considered how often you use this word "Awesomeness" or see it in text messages or hear it from others? My son has a thing about grammar and word usage, and punctuation. I am often one of his targets when it comes to punctuation and word usage he often quotes a High School English teacher who reportedly told his class that the use of explanation points and words such as awesome are over used he went on to say that in one’s lifetime these should only be used about 5 times In your entire life. I remember asking my son and He said yes you have used them all up for generations to come.
Now this may seem true some and may even sound reasonable. Well for anyone who knows me they know that likely the next 100 generations wouldn’t be able to use these such words, or punctuation. I have recently been rethinking this and maybe I do over use these words and punctuation when talking about everyday life; however, how could one know our God, and live a life that allows Christ to be the lead and not see all the Awesomeness there is to see.
Honestly if looking at it from that perspective then maybe we don’t use enough explanation points and adjectives such as awesome. Do we really find ourselves daily telling our God how Awesome He is, or His creation, or the work, blessings etc. that He has put in our lives? Now I understand maybe not saying how awesome this tragedy is, or battle that we are in, or crisis; however, do we really remember to go back to Him once he has brought us through the valley of despair, depression, heartache, tragedy etc.
When we are on the other side and maybe now place upon the mountain top do we stop to notice that footprints that we see are only 1 set? One set because he carried us through?
How many of us can say that when we are sitting on the mountain top with all the things in our lives is smooth sailing? Do we really take the time to say to our God how Awesome it is to be on the Mountain Top?
Brothers and Sisters, we are so richly blessed in America, in our living standards, in the freedoms we must worship the Lord without fear of persecution. We are so blessed to have so many choices such as which stores to shop, where to go out for entertainment, churches to become members in. We often have so many choices that we can have a hard time deciding about. Then we are still so blessed with freedoms, that are Awesome we can with touch of finger often change our minds completely often without consequence.
I know that I am being challenged in my own walk of Faith, and life to really take the time to recognize all the Awesomeness that I am showered with daily by our Great and Awesome God.
My challenge and my challenge for you is to make a conscious effort to recognize and offer up a Praise to God each day for 3 things that are Awesome in your day to day. I challenge you to do this and try to dig deep and find new wonders daily. Then challenge a family member, spouse, friend co-worker. As I believe that our day to day lives will be greatly enriched if we are trying daily to share the Awesome wonders of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here are a few from me that I am shouting out to the world to say just how awesome my God is:Struggle - My son’s near-death car accident 10 months ago- Awesomeness that came out of that accident: A better relationship between my son and I. My sister and I have finally grown close, my Mom and I have become so much closer. My son is back to doing life, even though according to the doctor’s initial thoughts that 1. He may likely not survive, or 2. He will be in the hospital for close to a year with recovery. He was back to work in 5 months. Brothers and Sisters, see what Awesomeness you can thank our God for and share with a world that desperately needs some hope and some Awesomeness in it.
It’s my prayer that God be with you and that your heart, eyes and mind are focused on finding, sharing and praising God for all His Awesomeness.
Till next week,
Love Tabby
God of Hope
“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,
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.
Minister
Creation Spoken in The Bible
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.” (Psalm 33:6)
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
(John 1:3)
“As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed--the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.” (Romans 4:17)
“God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are.” (I Corinthians 1:28)
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Hebrews 11:3)
“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalms 90:2)
“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” (Psalm 102:25)
“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)
“But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.” (Jeremiah 10:12)
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen. (Romans 1:25)
“And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man.” (I Corinthians 11:9)
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)
“Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Revelation 4:11)
“And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay!” (Revelation 10:6)
“But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.” (I Corinthians 8:6)
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:2)
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?” (Isaiah 40:12)
“He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth-- the LORD God Almighty is his name.” (Amos 4:13)
“You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” Nehemiah 9:6
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Many of us can create something but that means that we have to have something already created to make something else. Unlike God who did not have anything already created to create the universe. God’s act of creation is a huge deal because God created something out of nothing. Romans 4:17 says, “As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed--the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.” God just spoke and it was. Psalm 33:6 says, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.”
God’s power and might is so amazing. He is the master architect and finite creator. He was precise in everything that he did in creation. Isaiah 40:26 says, “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”
The triune God did not ask another being for assistance because He had the ability to do it on His own. “He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth-- the LORD God Almighty is his name.” (Amos 4:13)
He put love and wisdom into everything He created. After He created everything He sat back and saw that it was good. “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31
Genesis 1:1:5 This one act shows God’s power and sovereignty. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5
He alone has given life to everything. ““For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16) All things were created by Him. Nehemiah 9:6 says, “You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.”
God did all this for His glory. We were also created to glorify Him. "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Revelation 4:11) His creation is spoken of throughout the word of God!
Blessings,
Sistas Michelle
Joy in The Kingdom of God
Good morning Brothas and Sistas.
Many believe that the kingdom of God should not be preached but rather Jesus needs to be preached instead. The church has been neglectful in its teaching on the kingdom of God. Many believe it is important in the gospels but not in the rest of the New Testament. The kingdom of God is not only in the future, but it is here now. The Kingdom of God was a major point of Paul’s teaching.
Paul taught that the Kingdom of God was not just merely eating and drinking but it as righteousness joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. “Paul exhorts us to practice.
The Kingdom of Heaven is visible in the power of our resurrected Savior. For some reason people perceive the kingdom to be separate from Jesus. Jesus and the Kingdom of God are one in the same. To proclaim Jesus, is to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Jesus did not just proclaim the kingdom of God He embodied it.
Some believe that the Kingdom of God has been absorbed in the world. Therefore. it is no longer a part of the biblical narrative but it is only of the world’s narrative. Others believe that the kingdom of God is for future events. They believe God’s kingdom will be established when Christ returns. Wilson believes the kingdom is present today even if it is not full y present. Jesus preached an ever present and actual reality of the kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is present in our daily activities within the church. Paul also boldly preached about the Kingdom of heaven and Jesus. It was ever present in his thoughts. His activity is ever present when we live out the Kingdom of God in our actions. The activity of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost in our lives. Paul spoke of these three themes to the people He preached Christ to. He preached righteousness in the book of Galatians, peace was preached in the Ephesians, and joy was preached in Philippians.
It is our job as Christians to practice the characteristics of the kingdom. Many times, we are so caught up in the things if the world and that is what steals our peace and pour joy. It is not that the kingdom of God can’t be present now it is rather or not we are living out the Kingdom of God in our lives. We are called to be salt and light. Christ and His kingdom permeate in our lives when we practice these principles. They have to be applied to our daily lives.
As we study the characteristics of the Kingdom we develop sensitivity to see and hear the Spirit so that we can be naturalists of the Kingdom. When we engage in these practices of the Kingdom, we tap into God’s activity that lies within. We will begin to crave and walk in righteousness. Righteousness is considered the whole of life. It has nothing to do with a judgmental attitude but one that says, “I will live righteously because that is the way God intended us to live.”
We will desire to pursue peace because peace is a characteristic of the Savior in which the world is drawn to especially a suffering world. Peace extends from us spending time in the presence of our Savior. And joy is a characteristic that fills others with hope but joy overshadows doubt and fear. This is not anything like peace of the world which consists of absence of war. This peace comes from reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Joy is a characteristic that fills others with hope but overshadows doubt and fear. This joy is built upon fellowship with other Saints. Joy does not hinge or is not circumstantial. It is based on our freedom in Christ. The world should see how free we are in Christ and be jealous of what they see. Brothas and Sistas, the world should desire the joy they see in us.
"It is His joy that remains in us that makes our joy full."- A. B. Simpson
Love Me Like You're Gonna Lose Me
https://youtu.be/zOkijBvJ5Yw?list=PL8D30C7C19015C141https://youtu.be/DC8FsIdVi9Y
"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
We spend so much time being angry and holding each other captive to things that was either said or done to us that we miss opportunities to love one another the way we should. One may ask, "Why should I forgive? You don't know what they did to me." You are right. We don't know but He does. We are in no way referencing or condoning abuse but we are talking about harbouring on the small things that we allow to keep us apart.
My Brothas and Sistas, we could be called home and yet we often take each other for granted not knowing what the future holds. "Life is like a vapor." James 4:14 We spend less time saying how much we love one another and we spend more time not forgiving and fussing with one another. Why can't we just hold and love one another as if we may lose each other?
Life is too short. On the other hand, we could live a long time if we choose forgiveness and loving beyond our faults. So let's take a cue from the songwriter and go all out to love one another as if tomorrow is not promised.
Till next time.
Minister Antonio and Sista Michelle Washington
Prayer of Faith
Dear Lord,
Thank you for our gifts from you, our spouses. Teach us to love them as though it could be our last time. May we not take them for granted. Give us the ability to love beyond their faults and our disagreements. In Jesus name we pray. 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. Lets 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
Be the Change We Want To See
Matthew 5:13-14 (ESV)" Jesus said we are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” YOU are salt and light in this world. You have been called by God to bring light in the darkness in His beautiful name through your life, but it is not optional – Jesus said we ARE salt of the earth and light of the world."
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
God’s guidance is essential in our Christian walk especially when it comes to knowing the will of God. Most of us are led by the flesh in our daily walk. We often assume that we know the will of God when we don’t. Confusion is dominant in our lives when we don’t seek Him for guidance. Gods’ guidance in our lives is more apparent when we spend time in fellowship with Him. God is glorified when we are doing what He is calling us to do. We need more of God in our lives so we must rely solely upon Him.
Many of us do not obey the Spirit of God and we stay right where we are. Many of us want to stay here instead of going there. We are content where we are. We refuse to move elsewhere. We refuse to move from here to there because we do not like change.
Change is linked to progression. Progression is scary for most of us because that means that we are being challenged to grow. Growth is often painful, but it is necessary in order for us to follow God’s will for our lives.
Some of us are stuck in the four walls of our churches. We are not fulfilling the Great Commission which tells us to “go”. We like it here in our churches. It is so much more comfortable when God is calling us to be light in darkness and salt to a world that needs to know Jesus. We don’t want to go there to evangelize because it will cost us something. It will cost us our comfort and it will demand us to put forth some real change. But we complain about how our world is and why won’t someone do something. All the while God is calling us to be the change that we want to see!
Sista Michelle
Using Our Senses for God's Glory
Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.”
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
What God’s purpose might be in having designed the 5 senses:
I believe that the purpose may be to understand God and the senses that are given to help us know our adversary in more ways than one as David expresses all 5 senses regarding touch, speech, hearing, vision, and taste. Since we are created in His likeness, it very well may have been given for us being like God. David says in Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good.”
I also believe that those senses are spiritual in the sense of sight to see His majestic beauty and to see in the spiritual world. Sound helps us to receive hearing and God’s word, listening to His voice only. Smell exemplifies the great aroma of His Spirit; touch involves feeling His presence. Taste as it relates to feeding our hunger for God’s word as it feels our souls which all can be done by prayer.
How can we use our senses to bring God’s glory?
The sense of hearing brings God’s glory with the music of worship and praise. II Corinthians 5:17. The sense of smell gives the fragrance of oil for anointing (Ex. 30:23,25) that was given with the birth of Christ etc., (John 12:13). The sense of touch includes the laying on of hands for spiritual anointing to do the work of the Lord. (Num. 27:15-23) The sense of taste of communion which is portrayed in the Lord’s Supper. (Matt.26:17-30) The sense of sight involves the beauty of nature and the children of Israel in reference to the tabernacle which brings God glory. (Ex.36:8-39)
How can our senses lead us astray from God if we are not careful? By allowing pride to sit in and becoming arrogant in our understanding of the senses can truly lead us astray because we would think more highly than we ought. Paul cautions us in Titus 3 not to take them for granted and use them in a negative way.
Blessing till next time.
Minister Antonio Washington
Prayer of Faith
Lord, we thank you for giving us our senses. May we use them to glorify you in all that we do. Help us to never allow pride to let us to use our senses to go astray. May we always realize that we need you for guidance daily. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Wait
The relationship between a husband and wife in this day and time is much different than yesteryear. The divorce rate is 50-70%. And many of us have children involved and what we are going through puts them in the position of having to choose between mom and dad. We need to learn to say "I'm sorry", "I love you." " You remember don't you?
Now when you do say these things, don't be surprised if your spouse starts to wonder what you are up to eventhough it is nothing but you learning how to maintain and keep your marriage strong. Most marriages built on the wrong foundation such as appearances rather than what's on the inside (the heart), wanting a child rather than focusing on one another or other superficial things.
Most couples choose to live together before getting marriage. What ever happened to remaining celebate until marriage. I was watching a show on tv and it was based on a young lady who was looking for a date and she asked a couple of questions in order to help find a date for her. Well in reponse to one or two questions the young lady said she was celebate and that she wanted to ait until marriage so the host asked the men in the audience who would want to go on a date with her without wanting to get busy and not one man stood up.
I remember when it was honorable to wait until marriage but now people want to live togehter and try it out as some have said, Sista, you are beautiful and uniquely made in the image of God. Respect yourself and value who you are. Wait on the one God has for you and maintan your integrity.
Until next time,
Blessings,
Minister Antonio Washington
Tea Time With Tabby
“The Joy Found in Using Your Gifts”
Deuteronomy 12:6 "There bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks."
Ezra 1:6 "All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings."
Psalm 112:9 "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor."
2 Corinthians 9:9 "As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
Philippians 4:18 "I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God."
Romans 12:6 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;"
Good Morning, Brothers and Sisters,
I pray that you have awoken with a heart full of the truth and knowledge of how very loved you are by our Lord and Savior. His Great Love and Sacrifice for us is the greatest of Gifts we will ever receive. May we pray. Lord thank you for the gift of another day, another opportunity to serve you and love you and those you put in our path. Please speak through me today and share your words and heart. Amen.
Good Morning again. Let's see what todays brew of Joy found in using our Gifts from God. Each of us has a tea cupboard that the Lord so graciously fills and refills with many kinds of tea leaves. One shelf in that cupboard is especially important to recognize and utilize, and that is the shelf of God given gifts. Now I have heard many say that they simply weren’t gifted anything special. Sisters and Brothers and I am hear to inform you that you buying into one of Satan’s favorite lies when you say and believe that. God created each of us with a purpose and giftings. This means every human being, from the new born baby to the person that is not able to care for themselves at all due to disability or age. We are all gifted.
God wants us to each seek him out and find out what our giftings are if we really took a look at ourselves we would likely be able to identify them ourselves. Yet beyond that we must seek His wisdom and His will in determining how He desires us to use them to move the hearts of this broken world towards His Healing love and grace.
I am so blessed to know that one of my gifts is creating, as long as I can remember I have loved to find old things and make them new, or to write as I do here today, or create gifts for those I care about. I find such joy in creating and spending that time in that creative mindset and asking the Lord to bless the person or persons that will be receiving this gift. I love seeing the joy upon their faces when they see the final creation. Yet what brings me the most joy is knowing that my heavenly father is pleased and that even if that person doesn’t know Him I know He loves them and He has a purpose and plan for their lives.
Brothers and Sisters, this world can get us down and depressed and withdrawn, I know this all too well in a personal and intimate way. The enemy of our souls would like to keep us there. Yet I have found that if push myself just a little and start using my gifts as the Lord provided them for me, I can slowly crawl out from under that heaviness, if even only for a short time. Yet the more I do this and more obedient I am to the Lord in seeking how I am to use my giftings the more often I can push myself up and out of the heaviness of sadness and find joy. In the end joy will overcome the darkness and our Lord will restore our hearts to fullness and gladness. He only asks that we try and that we use the gifts, and talents and tools that He has provided us from day one. He will meet us in our sorrow and help us to find that joy.
So, I pray Brothers and Sisters that you dust off that shelf in tea cupboard today and discover all the amazing brews of gifts that you have been blessed with. Then you will seek His wisdom and heart and heart to know when and how to share them with a hurting and lost world. I pray that once you begin to walk in this that you will see and feel the Joy found in sharing our Godly Gifts and become and encouragement to another.
Till next week, be giving and kind and joy and use your Godly Giftings to Bless one another.
Love,
Tabby
Christ The Solid Foundation
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
We are coming to realize everything in this life is temporary and falling apart and nothing is forever. So much so, we don't know what the next day will bring. Jobs are folding, people are losing hope, people are losing their lives and even their minds.
BUT there's a "Solid Foundation" in life that's sure and steady, Christ, the Solid Foundation for LIFE. (Luke 6:46-49; 1 Corinthians 3:10, 11)
When the storms of life rage, winds blow and our hearts become overwhelmed within us, we can run "to the rock that is higher than us." (Psalm 61:1, 2). It's in Christ Jesus that we are able to STAND. Human strength will fail but the Strength of the Lord will NEVER fail (Isa. 40:28-31); for the Joy of the LORD is our strength. (Neh. 8:10)
Storms blow in life to fulfill purpose These storms drive us deeper and closer into the face of God where our help comes from. (Psalm 121:1, 2) Our naturaChrist The Solid Foundationl affections and desires keep our minds from being set on the things of this world. When we ficus on what others have it controls our conduct and hinders God's progress and purpose for our lives. But as we cry out to God to teach us His ways. He leads us to His word that purifies our hearts to please Him but we must be willing to let go of our will and set aside our ways to walk a live in the progress and purpose of God. We must kearn tobe content with what we have, especially our intimacy with Christ in our hearts for godliness with contentment is GREAT Gain. (1Timothy 6:6) For God Promised He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
The days are evil and extremely difficult and we don't know if or when things will change for the better but one thing we do know and we must not doubt is to "keep love in our hearts for God and for others. Brothas and Siatas, let's keep our faith rooted and grounded in God through Christ Jesus for without faith we can't please God. (Hebrews 11:6) and TRUST God. ONLY He can make everything alright!
Let hope rest in Christ who is our living hope. (1 Peter 1:3) Stand firm and stay rooted deep in Him because all other ground is SINKING Sand!
"We are BLESSED in Christ!"
Sin that Leads to Death
:f you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death."
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
There are many ways to look at the phrase “sin unto death” as written in I John 5:16-17. Sin unto death man continuous, unrepentant sin. Christians can sin to the point of the Lord’s judgement being brought on them in the form of death. If a person continues to sin for a period of time without repentance, they can cause their own physical demise in the form of death. Ultimately any sin will lead to death whether it be physical or spiritual.
In this text John was probably thinking about more than one type of sin. Some sins are an outright, blatant hit against what Christians stand for. These sins place a black mark on the Christian community. The sin against the Holy Spirit that was committed by Ananias and Saphira was punishable by death.
It is not our job as Christians to decipher which sins are punishable by death. We are to pray for any brother or sister overtaken in sin so that they may be brought to repentance. When we pray, we are not to go to the Father in doubt, but we are to pray confidently. Our desire in prayer for our fellow brothers and sisters is to begin to walk in the light again. We are not to be judgmental towards them but to lovingly pray for them.
But then again there are times when as much as we pray the person refuses to change. During these times it is not that our prayers are not being heard. God hears all prayers. The problem is that the person’s heart is so hard that they want to remain in that sin. And at that point it makes no sense to pray for a person who refuses to repent.
As Christians we have been called to a higher standard. Our Father, God, calls us to holiness as He is holy. We are not our own we have been brought with a price to glorify our father in heaven. When we continuously sin without regard for all that was done on the cross for us it as though we were never saved. The world looks at the unrepentant Christian and wonders, “Why should I get saved if they confess Christ and live as though they never knew Him.”
And because God is so holy that He cannot allow us to remain in unrepentant sin. God will at times remove those things that contaminant the body of Christ by bringing death to His people. Sometimes members of churches who will not repent and hinder the progress of a local church will all of a sudden die.
My mother ‘s church is the perfect example of that. Her former pastor died some time ago. He wanted his son to take His place as Pastor, but his son was not anointed to do so. His son caused so much confusion within the body. His mother caused a great deal of confusion with many of the other members. His mother refused to get out of God’s way.
Soon God finally took her home. The son was voted out as Pastor. He left the church. And my mom who was faithful in preaching and teaching the word became pastor. The church is starting to grow as a result of God restoring His church to holiness.
I believe whenever we get in God’s way and refuse to allow Him to do His work He gets tired of it. Everyone look at God as a God of love but there is another side of God that no one wants to talk about. God is also a God of judgement. And just like any loving earthly father He disciplines His children even if it means using death to get his point across especially when we refuse to repent.
In conclusion, God chastens us because he loves us. He cannot let unrepentant sin to go to the point that it affects the entire body. We are made in the image of God and must reflect His holiness. Christ desires for us to be His unblemished bride and will go to any length to preserve us. I believe the best thing for us to do is to walk in such a way that we are free from living in unrepentant sin.
When we live in this world we will be tempted to sin and sometimes fall but we must repent and turn away from those things that are displeasing to God. Sins that are not unto death allow others to pray for us in confidence knowing that we will be delivered. Not only is the confidence of those who are praying built-up, but our confidence is built up once their prayers are answered and we have been delivered through the power of prayer.
Brothas and Sistas, there is a vast difference between those sins and “sins unto to death”. There is no guarantee with sins unto death that our prayers will work. The Christian who once walked with God will no longer walk with God. But what’s even worse is they will no longer walk among those whose lives he/she could have influenced for the better if only they chose to repent. Our prayer should always be “Lord, make us sensitive enough to the Holy Spirit so we will listen and not turn to or continue in sin but turn away from it.”
Sin and It's Consequences
Good morning Brotas and Sistas,
There are so many consequences for sin. The most immediate is guilt. We also have feelings of condemnation that stem from the enemy’s taunting us after we have broken God’s law. Sin always separates us from God just as it did with Adam and Eve. The guilt will make us physically hide, ashamed to go around those you are closest to where we are no longer free to avail yourself to those around us that may need encouragement or a friendly phone call. The shame of sin makes us feel unworthy.
After sin comes consequences of our sin. The consequences of Adam and Eve had repercussions for all of humanity. Just as Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves, we often try to cover our very own sin. Nothing covers our sin but the blood of Jesus. Some of us go through great lengths for our sin never to be found out but God always knows just as He did with Adam and Eve, It was evident that he knew when He asked Adam, “Where art thou?”
When God asked Adam that question, I believe He knew exactly where Adam was. The question is, “Was Adam’s state of mind from getting caught up in sin so tainted with guilt and condemnation that he did not know where he was spiritually or positionally?” When we sin, it puts a damper on our relationships. I believe that those that are closest to us feel the brunt of it as well.
This happened with Jonah when he went to Tarshish instead of Nineveh and it affected all of those who were closest to him. “The word of the Lord came to Jonah with the command to preach against the wickedness of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Kingdom (Jonah 1;1-2). But Jonah instead chose to flee from the presence of the Lord (Jonah 1:10).
“But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” Jonah 1:3-6
Our disobedience makes us run from God’s presence and it affects others around us in ways we never thought was possible. The same happened with Adam and Eve. Their sin affected all of mankind. The only remedy or redemption came in the person of God’s Son. The blood of Jesus covered and still covers our sin.
"It is a fact that the Lord Jesus has already died for you. It is also a fact that you have already died with the Lord Jesus. If you do not believe in your death with Christ, you will not be able to receive the effectiveness of death with Him - freedom from sin." Watchmen Nee
Take care.
Michelle
A Week To Remember
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
Hopefully everyone had a chance to enjoy Valentine’s week. Some also may have a celebrated a birthday during this week. Since this is a week of expressing love towards one another. One of the things that can make this an enjoyable week it to remember how you first met, your first song, your first dance your first getaway or your first kiss. What is the most exciting event that occurred on your first Valentines?
There are many couples who have gotten away from what it means to express love towards one another, We start off strong but then as the years go on we begin to fade in our love towards one another. Why is this so? Could it be that we have become complacent with one another where we are taking each other for granted as to think that person still loves us without expressing it or saying it. Brothas and Sistas, love is an action word not just a spoken word.
We assume the other person knows we love them without actually showing them. When we first met we showed love more so than just spoke love. We put the word love into action by hugging, kissing and touching. Remember how we used to say. “All I do is think of you, Always and Forever, and we used to have to pinch ourselves and say it this for real.” And how we used to gaze into their eyes and say, "You are beautiful to me and you are the best thing that ever happened to me." So all in all make this week a week to remember how to love with action.
MInister Antonio Washington
Teatime with Tabby
“A Brew of Assaults from all around”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfmSOE6pnbE
Psalm 62:3
How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
Joshua 8:1 "Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land."
John 10:12 "The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So, when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it."
2 Timothy 4:18 "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen."
Good morning, Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I pray that when you awoke today that you too were reminded that the battle is not ours, but our Lord’s and He will always overcome. May we pray. Lord, only you fully understand the battles that we each contend with daily and the feelings and emotions and exhaustion that is the result of real struggle. Lord, please pour out a Brew today for us that will restore our minds, body, and souls to keep standing in the gap and trusting in you and your truths. AMEN.
Please join me now at the Grand Brew Master’s Table for a Brew that will restore us from the battles of life this side of heaven. As I open my tea cupboard, I am seeking strength, clarity, endurance, anxiety reduction, and escape from the sadness, and fear of the truth and reality of cancer stealing and destroying one I love so dearly. I feel such despair, and loss and the final day of loss has not even come upon the horizon yet.
Brothers and Sisters, I do not know if you have even felt that the enemy is coming at you from every angle, that each time you find something to have gratitude and praise for that he comes with an even greater number of fiery arrows. Well, this is where I am at the present. It is lonely here its hard here, yet the outside world would not know the battle that sieges on in my soul outside of a few shed tears and moments of glimpses into my sadness. No, I must not allow the world to know that I am so fragile that I feel I will shatter like a teacup that has fallen from the top shelf of the cupboard, due to my careless placement on the shelf. I must keep a smile on my face and march into the daily battle as if I am invincible. Am I the only one to feel this way? I know in my heart and mind that the Lord will win all these battles, the monetary crisis and continued financial attacks of scammers, and corporations that have no concern but greed and disregard for me as a person. Even when the disease that is ravishing my mom (cancer) takes her from us that this is not the end and that’s just part of the Lord’s greater plan. The final battles and wars of this life will be won by our Lord God. I cannot help but feel defeated, broken and lost, and without the strength to continue on at times.
Brothers and Sisters, if you are in this place with me or heading here or even beyond here, I want you to know that we do not stand here alone. I know this and I am so grateful that the Lord reminds me of this when the battle ensues in my heart, mind, and soul. I am so grateful that He intercedes for us and sends us small blessings, or kind unexpected note from a co-worker, or a random act of kindness from a stranger. It may come in the form of a text from a friend just saying hang in there you are not in this alone. These are all little mini sugar cubes or pours of cream into our bitter brew of this challenging battle we are in the midst of, from the Lord. He will never forsake us or depart from us. As Psalms 23 tells us we are never alone in the battle of the wilderness, our Lord and Savior is always present.
Brothers and Sisters, I make you a promise today as I write these words today and I get up from this place to face the world today, I will choose to put on my Armor of God, Ephesians 6:10-18, and I pray that you will as well. Without it, we will surely feel and fear the battle with greater intensity and much less protection. I will also remind myself and you that the Lord has won the war we just must endure the battle. Yet we do not stand alone in the battle we have our Godly family, we have our God, and we have His word and his promises to rely upon daily. Please do not believe the lies of the enemy and feel you are alone in this. Reach out and seek the loving support of a trusted friend, dig into God’s truths, and place yourself before His throne and seek Him and He promises to meet you and me there every time and anytime.
I know this was a heavy brew but I also know that I am not alone in this kind of battle, and I know that someone else out there needed to know that they are being prayed for and that they are loved, and that the Lord has not and will not abandon them or me, no matter what the enemy of our souls and this world chooses to battle against us with today, tomorrow, or ever.
My prayer today is that we all take a moment to check in on a friend or just share in a moment of prayer for those we do not know who may be in a similar battle. That we seek out a moment and opportunity for a random act of kindness for a stranger or strained relationship, or for someone we just want to share some kindness towards. May the Lord our God, strengthen and restore, and hold us each close as we stand firm in His promises and provisions in and through this season of war.
Till next week,
Love and prayers,
Tabby
Never Lose Hope-All Things Are Possible
"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.:"
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
First and foremost, I want you to know false hope is an expectation that is usually extremely unlikely to be satisfied. Which means you will more than likely use and lose your time and resources. I know when I was a little younger I had people tell me that if I continue to keep my grades up and make the honor roll I would be looked upon as the best in whatever field I chose to go into. Well, I took what my lithography teacher said about having high hopes of achieving that hope of success. I pursued and became the first African American at my high school to be the printer of the year.
Brothas and Sistas, I surpassed everyone in all the classes my teacher had. I remember a couple of students saying, “You really believe that you will become successful in this field? He is giving you false hope of achieving that.” I looked at them and said "Yes, I believe I will” Brothas and Sistas, never give up. The hope that God has provided for you is not merely a wish. Neither is it dependent on other people, possessions, or circumstances for its validity. Instead, biblical hope is an application of your faith that supplies a confident expectation in God's fulfillment of His promises. Coupled with faith and love, hope is part of the abiding characteristics in a believer's life.circumstances for its validity." John C. Broger
Minister Antonio Washington
What's Your Leadership Style
"Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
There are different aspects of leadership. The way we explain leadership is through leadership theory classifications. We gauge the way leadership is though about, perceived, studied, etc, These classifications are made to understand various characteristics found in leadership. The way a person thinks as they lead can affect how his or her followers respond to him/her.
Knowledge is power. When a person knows how they lead or what characteristics/character traits are involved in leading they can learn to understand themselves more effectively. When we understand our leadership style it helps us to lead more effectively. We learn most when we have the tools to study the characteristics of leadership. Knowledge teaches us to be better at leading.
I think that the behavioral paradigm changing it’s focus helps us as well as millennials understand our unique styles in leadership. What might have worked in the 1950’s may not necessarily work now. Focusing on how individual manage those they lead is important to allowing managers foster their understanding of various behaviors. Some behaviors need to change as society changes.
Much of the paradigms attempt to focus on the best leadership style. Doing this allows managers to look at their leadership style and maintain the positive behavioral characteristics and relinquish characteristics that can be detrimental to the team they manage. It is also important not to primarily focus on managing but rather focus on leadership.
These paradigms are important to study because we all need to understand our leadership style. I believe proper leadership focuses on getting to know and work with the people we lead while management looks at the work or business. In order for us to be successful leaders we have to learn to build and foster relationships instead of focusing on the business and getting the job done. Philippians 2:13 says, ““Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 In conclusion we, as leaders, must learn how to effectively influence our team members. And we do this by knowing what works and what doesn’t in current leadership models.
Michelle
The God of Hope
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
Speak Life
Watch "Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam With Full Force - Someone To Love Me For Me" on YouTube
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8, 9
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
I am convinced that over 78% of married couples do not know the language that their spouse is speaking. Now just to put your minds at ease I am referring to the Love Languages. A lot of marriages fall apart simply because we don't know each others love language.
Why is it so hard for us to ask or to find out what language our spouse is speaking? Do you know how many arguments and frustration can be illuminated in our marriages if we took the time to do this? Instead of asking we would rather keep quiet and not say anything or be troubled on the inside to the point where we don't want to be around or near our spouses at all. And yet we spend hours telling others about how we feel and what our spouses are not doing rather than share what we are feeling with our spouses.
When you or I look at the love languages let's ask ourselves do I fit in and what is my spouse's language. When we look at the language we must then begin to make it happen. And that means we must begin to put action to work and communicate it to our spouse's.
Please look at the different aspects of love language to see what we should avoid doing. Ultimately, if we be honest with ourselves we all have engaged in one or more of these offences at one time or another in our marriages. The five love languages as outlined by Gary Chapman are:
Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch
My Brothas and Sistas, can we speak each other's love language and speak life into one another? This can and will happen if you are willing. Amen.
Till next time.
Minister AntonioWashington
Prayer of Faith
Father thank you for teaching us the importance of knowing our spouses love language. Help us to have open communication with our spouses so that we won't spend years living in frustration. Allow us to put each other first so that our marriages can be successful. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
God Makes Himself Known
God’s desire is that we may know Him through the person of His Son, Jesus. He wants us to know Him as a loving Father. Yes, He is a Judge and King but He is also loving and merciful. His love for us is revealed through the Word, which is His Son, Jesus. Many times we focus on the God who gives out judgement for our sins not realizing the reason He sent Jesus was so that our sins could be forgiven and His love could be displayed in all that Jesus did on the cross. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
God tells us that “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah We see the love of the Father throughout God’s word we He often delivers His people from captivity. ‘It shall come about on that day,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘that I will break his yoke from off their neck and will tear off their bonds; and strangers will no longer make them their slaves.” Jeremiah 30:8
He also shows us his love through nature and how he cares for even the simplest of His creation and how He cares for us as well. Matthew 6:25-34 says, “Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto [a]the measure of his life? And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
We have to see beyond the law in order to embrace the Father’s great love. God is love.” I John 4:8 But if we look at the beginning of that scripture, we see that there is a prerequisite for experiencing His great love. It says, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” You must have the love of God in your heart in order to experience His great love. Once you know Him through the Son, you will experience His love.
And once again we learn of Him and His love though Jesus, the Word of God. The love that He has for His Son is insurmountable and it is the same with us. When we see Him as Luther later saw Him in life as a Father who gives and who share it changes our perspective. Luther thought that He was a God who just punished for sin but as he grew to know Him through the scriptures, He found out that He was so very loving.
He loves us just as an earthly father does. Scripture says, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11 And as any loving father would. He wants us to dwell with Him in His love just as He desires that for His very own Son; Jesus, He wants the same for us. His love is so undeniable.
I know we see this loved exemplified in how He cares for us daily. He gives us our daily bread. He supplies all of our needs. “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 And lastly, He grants us favor when we walk in obedience to His divine word, the person of Jesus Christ.
Do Not Worry
"Trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, and He will direct our path. Acknowledge Him in all our ways and He shall direct our paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
What does God means when He tells us “Do not Worry”. How is it possible for this statement to become a reality in our lives? What should we as Christians do in times of worrying? How should we respond to follow believers who are experiencing stress and anxiety?
Let's take a look at this......
1. How is it possiblefor this statement to become a reality?
In reference to the reality in our lives of "Do Not Worry", I believe that we would have to experience a little struggle or face adversity to know what it means to not worry. As Christians we sometimes worry more than the non- Christians and yet we have the word of God to rely on. In these times of worrying we should remember that we can’t add or take anything to make it better, but we should begin to” look to the hills from where our help comes from…” Psalm 121:1
2. What should we as Christians do in times of worrying?
We should also pray continuously. “We should trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, and He will direct our path. Acknowledge Him in all our ways and He shall direct our paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6. With our fellow believers we should encourage one another.
3. How should we respond to follow believers who are experiencing stress and anxiety?
We should help them understand that God has everything under control and that when we have anxiety we can complicate the matter worse because we are not willing to be patient and remind them that God says,” To be anxious for nothing but with prayer and supplication make your request known and the peace if God which surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Otherwise, we will stress ourselves out worrying about something we have no control over. Besides stress brings on many dis-eases such as ulcers, kidney infections, strokes, hearts attacks, and discontent.
Brothas and Sistas, "Do Not Worry! because, "Worry implies that we don’t quite trust God is big enough." Francis CHan
Until next time, Be blessed
Minister Antonio Washington
Not Guilty
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him Jesus loves us so much He died in our place. He gave the ultimate sacrifice. He gave His very life. To give means to deliver in exchange; to yield to another, to surrender. Christ did not lose his life; He freely gave it. In fulfillment of the Old Testament picture of the sacrifice of the lamb., Jesus became the lamb who took away the sins of the world. He yielded His life for ours.
When we were utterly hopeless with no way of escape Christ came ai just the right time and ides for us. ; the just for the unjust; sinners who had no use for Him. Even if we were good we really wouldn’t expect anyone to die for us, though of course that might be barely possible but God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were just sinners. And since by His blood He did all this for us as sinners, how much more will we do for Him who declared us righteous.
Jesus is our kinsman redeemer. The definition of redeemer is someone who purchases back; vindicator or avenger. The Hebrew word for redeemer is padhah and gaal (go'el). A go'el was one who is nearest of kin who purchased back the forfeited inheritance for an Israelite who, through poverty sold his land or was to hold his land in possession for an impoverished kinsman until the year of Jubilee, when it would revert back to it's original owner. Christ who took on the form of man became our go'el and saved us from being disinherited forever. Back in the day, the goel's role was also to ransom his kinsman from bondage to the foreigner.
Just as unregenerated man was in bondage to Satan Jesus paid the price with his precious blood and became a ransom for our sins. Many years ago the goel also avenged the death of his slain kinsman as a point of honor. Therefore, Jesus, our Redeemer through death has destroyed Satan and has delivered us from everlasting slavery to him and from the shame of sin and brought us to a place of honor. Through salvation we are now called sons and daughters of the Almighty One.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).
How is it that a righteous Savior can declare a filthy sinner righteous based on His merit alone. So many times others judge us based on our past and don't even realize that because of Him our past has been erased. It's almost like David Copperfield performing one of the greatest and most daring feats known to mankind. How is it that because of His redeeming blood the old man is continuously disappearing while the new man is being renewed day by day? Jesus the righteous judge brought forth His amazing love and paid the price for mercy. My verdict NOT GUILTY. John Walvoord quotes, "Justification. In popular usage this word means showing proper grounds for. In theological context, however, justification is the judicial act of God declaring one to be righteous by imputation of righteousness to him."
I heard somebody say, "We have been made righteous through justification". Justification means to absolve, to vindicate, or to set right. It is a judicial act of God based upon Christ’s completed work. It is also His divine declaration of “not guilty” expressed toward sinners. Yes, it's true, my Brothas and Sistas justification is the very opposite of condemnation. While it does not ignore God’s righteous requirements, it nevertheless declares that these requirements are all fully met in Jesus. How powerful is that? Praise Him!!! As worthless as our past sins can sometimes make us feel; we have still been declared righteous. Roman 8:1 clearly states, "There is therefore (for that reason or cause; consequently or hence) now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." Hallelujah!!! Thomas Watson declares, "It is absurd to imagine that God should justify a people and not sanctify them, He should justify a people whom He could not glorify." (Thomas Watson)
To be pardoned from punishment for sin and declared guiltless. A person is justified by the Savior’s grace through faith in him. This faith is shown by repentance and obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Jesus Christ’s atonement enables mankind to repent and be justified or pardoned from punishment they otherwise would receive. Brothas and Sistas, according to Marvyn Lloyd- Jones, " Our justification means not only that our sins are forgiven and that we have been declared to be righteous by God Himself, not merely that we were righteous at the moment when we believed, but permanently righteous. For justification means this also, that we are given by God the positive righteousness of His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Just the other day I was with one of my little Sista's from church and we were watching the movie, "The Grace Card" As I was writing this devotional I began to meditate on the scene where the man who had been found guilty of murdering Matt's son gave his life to Christ while he was in prison. He came to church one night when they had a service dedicated to giving each other "a grace card". All the years of Matt having unforgiveness in his heart against this man because of a crime that took his son away was diminished because Matt had realized the importance of being made righteous and being forgiven. Matt had now been justified by the grace card given to him by Jesus once he repented of his sins. Matt looked at this young man once guilty of a crime but had now been declared justified, "not guilty"and anger relinquished from his soul as he extended him the same grace card that he had been given.
In the scene the man's words were as follows:
"In another life I killed another man. I was a thief and a fool. The policemen very rightly were trying to bring me to justice, pursued me, I ran and I took this family's child away from them. It was prison that finally broke me. I surrendered my life to my Father. I sought to make a mends for the mess I made of that life. For penance I entered the mission field of Kenya. I paid society with eight years of my life. Justice was served but not to this family. I owe them a debt I can never repay. I cannot and will not go another day without facing them and accepting responsibility for what I have done." And then he apologizes.
Well Brothas and Sistas, we owe Him a debt we can never repay. Only Jesus can make a mends of our broken past and justify us. Justice is served through Him. So the next time someone brings your past up, tell them. "Don't judge me based on my past because I don't live there anymore. " Jesus has justified us through the grace card given to us at Calvary, Not Guilty. Never underestimate the power of grace that He has shown us through justification. Praise Him!!!!Now, let's take time to meditate on the words of this song. Be blessed.
"Not Guilty"by Mandisa
I stand accused. There's a list a mile long. Of all my sins, Of everything that I've done wrong. I'm so ashamed. There's nowhere left for me to hide. This is the day I must answer for my life. My fate is in the Judge's hands But then He turns to me and says
I know you. I love you. I gave My life to save you. Love paid the price for mercy. My verdict not guilty. How can it be? I can't begin to comprehend
what kind of grace would take the place of all my sin?
I stand in awe now that I have been set free and the tears well up as I look at that cross cause it should have been me.
My fate was in the nail scarred hands. He stretched them out for me and said, "Not Guilty."
[Chorus]
I'm falling on my knees to thank You. With everything I am I'll praise You. So grateful for the words I heard You say.
Not Guilty!
Recognizing Our Roadblocks
"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?" Galatians 5:7
Good morning Brothas and Sistas,
There are times when we've planned out our day. Everything runs smoothly at first and then the unexpected roadblocks comes. You can heed to the signs and go another way or make another decision. You could also ignore the roadblocks or move them out of the way.
Questions that we may ask: Is there really something there? Is it dangerous? But the real question is, "Was the roadblock there to protect you or detour you? Are past experiences, emotions, other issues contributing to your decison?
Nehemiah 2:14 says. "Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through" Nehemiah had his own roadblocks, there was so much debris and rubble. the walls were ruined, the gates were burned by fire, he had to deal with their wayward faith, their wandering hearts. Nehemiah said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.
They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work." Nehemiah did not sugar coat the roadblocks that he was facing, but rather he was straight forward. In our marriages there are roadblocks that have come our way, and we need to know how to address them. Do we adhere to the warning signs or do we ignore them? Just like with Nehemiah, we need to look at the ruins in our mariages and decide weather to rebuild or stay in ruin. The first thing is to be honest with each other as to where we are with the ruins. The roadblocks can be there to have us look at where we are heading before going any further, we muist relize that roadblocks can save us from total destruction. When rebuilding our marriage, we need to make sure that we share and do everything with love. We can get straight to the point but it should be with respect to each other. Listen, once the debris are clear, then the road can be reopen to travel where God would have us to go. Let's not ignore what needs to be addressed or attended to, which are the roadblocks in our marriages, but rather take heed of our ruins and be willing to STOP, LOOK,and LISTEN to what the Spirit of the Lord is saying, so that we may move forward and be Blessed as well as being a Blessing.
Brothas and Sistas, pray to overcome your obstacles, pray to overcome your roadblocks.
Minister Antonio Washington
Teatime with Tabby - “A Brew of an Encourager”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Job 16:5 "But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief."
Psalm 10:17 "You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,"
Acts 11:23 "When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts."
Romans 1:12 "that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith."
Romans 12:8 "if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
Colossians 2:2 "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,"
Good morning brothers and sisters in Christ, and all who have found themselves here today.
I wanted to thank you for coming and joining me at the Grand Brew Masters table today our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we begin our time together in prayer. Lord, I pray this morning that you will be the voice heard here that the words laid to paper today are not my own but that they are what you deem valuable and needed today for one or many. In your precious name I declare your sovereignty, grace, and divinity overall. Let us head over to the Lord’s Tea Cupboard and see what He desires for us to brew up today.
When the Lord awoke me this morning at first, I was not sure what Brew He would have me share as my eyes and body were not ready to be awoken. So as laid still and quiet I asked him as my mind was running through my own thoughts and feelings. Then I quieted my heart and mind, and simply asked the Lord what is the Brew to be today? I suddenly felt it. I felt a sense of encouragement, while yes, I would have been happy to go back to sleep, I would not have awoken feeling encouraged. I believe I would have awoken with a discouraged mind, body, and spirit. I am so grateful for the Lord’s patience and grace.
Brothers and Sisters, this world can be a challenging place to find truthful, God-inspired encouragement to sip on and fill up our souls. Yet we each have the ability to at no cost and no loss, and truthfully extraordinarily little effort to be this for one another. Have you ever considered how many encouraging and uplifting opportunities you chose to speak into the lives of others? Have you taken inventory of the negative or negativity that you can bring to those around wrapped up neatly justified from head to toe? We are each guilty of this and I venture to guess that we each have a circle of influence where we fall into this pit of discouraging spirit.
Brothers and Sisters, I want you and I want me to practice taking our minds captive in these times. To slow down the thoughts and feelings at the moment and ask the Lord what the reason for this challenge is. Then ask the Lord to help you find a way to turn your discouragement into encouragement either for yourself in the moment or for the situation.
I can find myself settling into discouraging feelings and thoughts and feelings at work at times when dealing with certain persons. Yet I have found that when I seek our Lord first, or sooner rather than later. What I have found by slowing my mind and taking captive my thoughts and speech is that the Lord provides me with so many more opportunities to share an encouraging word, or to celebrate a little victory. Yet this little victory feels like I just won the lottery. I cannot explain it why it works this way it is just a God thing. A few simple examples of how God has shown up in my life in this way over the past week. As I shared recently, I have changed roles at work, and I love my new role. Yet there is one person who always makes me feel like they would d be happy if I failed. Yet our Lord is bigger than my perception and my feelings.
Over the past week, I have heard from people who are in my office, or in my direct sphere of influence that has encouraged me with their words and actions. I have been able to celebrate the silly small accomplishments of these people. I must say that the endorphins rush through us when we choose to find these opportunities. It is better than I could ever explain. So, Brothers and Sisters, I encourage you to take inventory of the Brews you have stored in your cupboard and discard those that are discouraging and replenish the cupboard with even the smallest of encouragement and God will pour increasingly into your mind, and spirit.
In closing today, I pray that you will be loved and be prepared to be the encourager that the Lord calls us each to be for one another in Christ Jesus our Savior. Seek out those opportunities. Make these moments happen, do not be afraid to be vulnerable and bold and speak encouragement into the lives of your encounter. There is no cost to you or anyone else to be an encouragement to someone else. Where on the other hand being a discourager can cause un-due harm, and gaping wounds in the mind and souls of others and this can seep into your mind and soul as well. The price and cost for this can be quite significant.
Let’s leave here today sipping in the encouraging words of our scriptures today and seek the Lord requesting his prompting and encouragement to us be His companion in this much-needed work in this difficult and often disappointing world till his return.
Love,
Tabby
Are You Honoring God with Your Body?
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs
When it comes to each human component, we have been given responsibility to take care and allow growth for each component. The way we care for each component reflects how serious our relationship with God is. When we realize that we are made in the image of God and we must glorify him in our body, our actions, how we speak and so on, then we will realize the importance in taking specific care of each human component.
Let take a look at the flesh for instance. The flesh encompasses our physical body as well as our sinful desires. We must take care of our physical body through exercise, eating right and getting proper rest. When we don’t take proper care of our bodies it is an indication of how well we care about how well the Holy Spirit can use our bodies to glorify the Father and do the Will of the Father. If our bodies are run-down, we can’t do all God is calling us to do. We can’t be His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs Him if we are not physically fit.
We can also walk according to the flesh, our sinful desires when we don’t adhere to the spirit, which is a human component that is receptive to the Spirit of God. It is our responsibility to make sure our spirit remains connected to the Spirit of God so that we can get direction and conviction from the Holy Spirit when we are outside of the will of God. Romans 8:6 says, “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” When we fulfill our fleshly desires we sin. Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Secondly, it is our responsibility to feed on God’s word daily. The mind needs to be renewed through God’s words so that we can think more like Him. When we make a point of getting in the word of God we allow our minds to grow spiritually which can lead to a closer walk with God and also open the door for us to be used more by Him to speak and preach the word. But it also makes us aware of the presence of God in our lives as well as the presence of God in the lives of others. Reading the word of God give us more spiritual discernment and gives us godly wisdom.
Thirdly, our hearts deal with the hidden intents and thoughts of who we are. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick, who can understand it.” The hidden intents of our heart need to be regulated and guided by the Holy Spirit through the word of God and God’s Spirit. When we act independently from Gods word the real us begins to show and it starts with what is hidden deep within our hearts.
Fourthly our souls, encompass our memory, self-awareness, conscience, and imagination. God breathed into us and the soul was formed within. Genesis 2:7 says,” Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breathe of life, and the man became a living creature.” The more time we spend in the presence of God our souls are refreshed. Our souls ultimately belong to God. Ezekiel 18:4 says, “Behold all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine. …” He has just made us stewards over them to be nourished in His presence.
Lastly, the will deals with the intentions of the heart; the actions taken to do a particular action. It is our responsibility to make sure our will aligns with God’s will. Anything done outside of the will of God is sin. We honor God when we line up with His will. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Michelle
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People
James 1:2-4 "Consider it a sheer gift friends when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and show its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely, Let it do its work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way."
This is a question that comes up more than most. It is also a question that some use as a reason why they don’t want to become believers in Christ, but also this question is brought up among the family of believers. C. S. Lewis, a great theologian has a book called, “The Problem with Pain.” In this book he states the problem with pain is that pain requires attention!!! You see pain insists on being attended to and the reason why we ask the question is because it’s personal. You remember the old saying that it can make us or break us, it can make us better or it can make us bitter.
James’ letter is written to believers for the purpose of living out the truth. In other words, if we say I believe or I am a believer, then why do we live as though we don’t. James was writing to the 12 tribes that were scattered abroad and were going through severe hardship. In this letter James doesn’t comfort them but rather he challenges them. Being a Christian does not make us exempt from bad things happening. He wanted them to learn how to trust God no matter what.
There are 3 things that James is teaching us in Chapter 1 in vs. 2-4. He speaks about the attitude towards our trials and temptations. In vs 5-12 he explains the ways to conquer, vs. 13-18 he talks about the origin (where it comes from) In vs. 19-27 he explains how to prepare ourselves as to withstanding the trials and temptations that we will face.
1. This is just a test
2. We need to just be strong
3. Just be patient for it’s all good
This is just a test: ( the emergency broadcast system)
The text says in the message:
"Consider it a sheer gift friends when tests and challenges some at you from all sides. James lets us know that we should consider it a sheer gift when, which indicates that it is going to happen. This is just a test, this is not an option, but rather it is inevitable, so we are going to have all kinds of trials whether it be a broken relationship, depression, sickness, loss of job, substance abuse, being laid off, wayward children etc. Listen, Job knew what it was like losing everything, he said “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.” God allows the test.
And yet James says to “count it all joy” Are you serious how can I count those things as joy. Loss of a loved one. Even in the loss of a loved one the one who has gone home to be with the Lord feels joy when he enters His presence. The one left behind witnessed the life of their loved one who has gone on to be with the Lord and wants to experience Christ like their loved one did when they were lving so they give their life to Christ at the homegoing and experience the joy of salvation.
Sometimes even when people are praying for us, we would rather runaway than to stand the test and pain. We rather give in and give up instead of trusting God no matter what. Listen not everyone is going to encourage you, many will look at your situation in a negative way, while only a few will look at it as being in God’s plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “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.”
Phillip Yancey in his book, “Where is God When it hurts?” states “As we rely on God and trust His Spirit to mold us in His image, true hope takes shape within us” a hope that does not disappoint, we can literally become better persons because of suffering. Pain however meaningless it may seem at the time can be transformed.
Where is God when it hurts? He is in us, not the things that hurt, helping to transform bad into good.
Just Be Strong
2. Be strong: you know that under pressure your faith life is forced into the open and shows it’s true colors. The Hebrew Boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew what it meant to be strong, they said to the king Nebuchadnezzar that even if God doesn’t deliver them they still will not bow down to him. They remained strong under pressure. When bad things happens to us James says that our faith life, (you know the one we profess) will be forced into the open and show it’s true colors. In other words people are watching to see what you do under pressure, just like Job, The Hebrew boys, Joseph. How do we respond when bad things happen, do we become beligerant, angry, do we quit. Joshua who was under extreme pressure and was encouraged by God to be strong and noticed that He said it 3 different times, Sometimes when being under pressure we tend to not want to trust God because we become unsure, and God has to remind us that He is with us. He reminds us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
3. Just be patient:
So, don’t try to get out of anything prematurely, let it do it’s work so you can become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” So instead of us trying to avoid these trials or trying to make them go away, we need to focus on how can I change the way I respond. Psalms 37:7 say’s “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes”. James is saying when bad things happen, let it do its work!!!, because this will mature and shape us to be what God has ordained. Remember all things work together for our good, and God receives the Glory.
The next time bad things happen, remember that He has delivered me before and He can do it again,
Remember He turned bones into armies,
He turned graves into gardens,
He turned my seas into highways,
He turned my mourning into dancing,
He turned my shame into glory,
He gave beauty for ashes.
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
Because He is Sovereign
Blessings,
Minister Antonio Washington
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