And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9 KJV)
My faith and trust in God has enabled me through the years that no matter how difficult life had become, I remained hopeful. The enemy of doubt and discouragement did find its way into my spirit, but because I know the Lord, the enemy’s weapons could not harbor in this earthly tabernacle. When you have the sword of truth, which is the word, and the power of prayer, I had the authority to bind and cast the enemy out of my heart, mind and soul. There was always an encouraging sermon that enabled me to run on and obtain my goals regardless of what it looked like. Fellowshipping with a body of believers was also helpful in boosting my spirit.
I can remember being in Nursing school and I struggled with the Medical surgical exams. I would go to the tutors the college provided when I was not in class on the opposite evenings. My professor would let my tutors go over my exams with me. There were no other students who utilized the tutoring services until we were close to the end of the semester and then I found out who was struggling with the exams like me. I can remember one of my now longtime friends said “you think the tutor is yours to yourself?” I said “yes, I have been here all semester and now you show up because you are failing.” The professor recognized my determination and my sacrifice and she helped me. I did not grow weary and believe me, at times it did not always look good. I could have given up and changed majors that would have been too easy, I did not want to be defeated. To this day, science and math are not my favorite subjects, but I knew I was more than a conqueror and could do all things with Christ who strengthen me.
As we move forward into the new year, let us remain hopeful and not become weary in doing well, because we will eventually reap a harvest. Anything worth having does not come easy. People will fail you, but remember that God never fails. Some people get tired of you, and ultimately really do not care, but God never tires of you. The Lord never falls the sleep when you’re talking, always pays attention, does not tune you out, has a word for anything you might be going through in your life. At my weakest and most vulnerable times in my life I have called on the Lord and the Lord steps in even when I’m wrong and I make a complete mess of things, because the Lord knows the sincerity of my heart. I hope as we move into a new year remain encouraged and learn about the Lords goodness and mercy toward us. Have a blessed and prosperous New Year. I will continue to keep you in prayer.
Behold! The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” God with us. (Matthew 1:23).
The World has a way of watering down Christian Holidays. Today, if you do not want to offend anyone, it is proper to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Lately, I find myself saying Merry Christmas especially if I discern you are a Christian and celebrate the birth of Christ. The Christmas season is commercialized, gift giving and receiving. To be honest with you, I do not need anything else in this house, if anything I need to give things away that I have not used and are still new.
Two weeks ago, I was teaching Sunday school, and the children attempted to redirect the conversation away from the birth and significance of Christ to Santa Claus; not wanting to seem like a Scrooge, I told them how I left chocolate cake and soda for Santa because I knew he would be hungry. I eventually redirected the conversation back to the reason for the season and the greatest gift of all and the importance of Christ birth.
We must take a minute to pause and redirect our loved ones and friends back to the real reason for the season. We have a responsibility as Christians to profess the priceless gift that God sent his son and they call him Jesus and life is worth the living just because he lives. It does not matter what the world does, we as followers of Christ can do things differently in honoring the birth of Christ. Yes, I am glad that my mother did not let us skip out on all the secular activates around the Christmas holiday, but we knew the real reason why we celebrated Christmas and the significance of the birth of Christ. My mother believed Christmas was every day and we should not wait for one day out of the year to celebrate Christmas. I can recall about three years my mother did not get me and my brothers anything for Christmas. Although I thought she was crazy, I never felt deprived when I received some of my wants during the year. Besides, other family members would bring gifts to the house. I am glad they call Christ Immanuel, God with us because the Lord has never left me alone. Christ has always been with me during my life, so regardless of all the gift giving and receiving, I now know that I received the greatest gift when Christ was born in order the I might have the right to the tree of life. I encourage you to remember the real reason for the season of hope and expectation, which is greater than anything you will ever receive under the Christmas tree. God Bless.
For my iniquities, have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. Psalm 38:4 (NKJ)
As Christians, we should never become comfortable sinning; Paul said when I would do right evil is always present. The word lets us know that we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity; meaning we became bigger sinners as we grew. Sin should be uncomfortable; we should stay in constant battle pursuing the things of God and not of the world. I want to remain humble because even in my righteousness I am still filthy. I need Gods continuous grace and mercy. Sometimes my thoughts are sinful, not just my deeds. We must continue to fast and pray and seek the Lord. The Lord knows that our flesh is weak and although God will forgive us in high places we sometimes must deal with the repercussions of our sinful ways.
The word lets us know that God provides a way out, but if we are honest with our self, we do not always want the way out. Maybe I can only speak for myself. The fruit of the spirit called long-suffering is not always practiced, sometimes we do not want to suffer, but the Bible tells us if we suffer we will also reign with him. Let us not become comfortable with our wicked ways we can do better because the word lets us know we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Continue to talk with the Lord about your struggles, because the word lets us know his grace is sufficient and his strength is made perfect in weakness. We must stop blaming the enemy as the word tells us it is our evil desires and flesh. David said in Psalms for I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. The day will come, and I do not want the Lord to say flee from me I never knew you. I will continue to confess and repent of my sinful ways. God Bless.
Looking at them, Jesus said, “With People it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27 KJV)
When I look back over my life, there were so many things that looked impossible, but I never started from the position of impossibility. I believed if I put one foot in front of the other I could strive to make the impossible possible. It amazes me sometimes when people see the glory and do not know the story. Good old fashion hard work and staying the course works and for me seeking first the kingdom of God and standing on his promises. When the enemy would attempt to saturate me with doubt and discouragement I would be reminded of Gods promises through the word of God and gospel music. Marvin Sapp would sing “be encouraged no matter what’s going on he will make it alright.” Those words would come right on time. Attending church and Bible study gave me the ability to press on no matter what it looked like and sometimes it did not look good but God is a winner at the finishing line and victory became mine.
I encourage you to stop having a defeatist attitude, speak those things as though they were, encourage yourself look up and stop looking down. If you know you have a spirit of laziness, ask God to help you in that area if you lack faith, ask God to increase your faith. If you cannot talk to anyone else go to God in prayer, for the lord already knows and if your sincere the Lord will grant you the desires and wishes of your heart, but you must do the work. I remember when I first opened the training school, everything came together right when I was in need. My mother’s company was changing their office furniture, so I could get the used office furniture the company was giving away. My Aunt passed away and my uncle never got rid of the hospital bed. The bible says the steps of a righteous man are ordered by God. I encourage you to continue to realize all life’s possibilities that awaits you when you know God. Look to the hills from whence comes your help and be assured your help will come from the Lord. God Bless.
My mother always taught me to consider the source: she would say not everyone can speak into your life, consider who is giving the information. I remember an associate was talking to me about home ownership, but never owned a house or a condominium in her life. Sometimes you politely listen and nod your head so not to get into an argument when someone might mean well.
I am so grateful that the greatest source to consider is Jesus. Hebrew 12:2 instructs us to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (NKJV). You see Christ endured and suffered on earth so that we would not die in our sins. Jesus was lied on, persecuted, beaten, spat upon and when we start to complain and admittingly sometimes I do complain, I need to remember the cost of the cross just for me. Donald Vails wrote the lyrics: “he would not come down from the cross just to save himself he decided to die just save you and me.”
Jesus has instructed and taught through the word of God words of wisdom that is a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path. If only we would consider the word of God as our number one source to consider, we would experience more joy, peace, and love. Unfortunately, we go to man instead of God and then expect God to bail us out of what we allowed a man to get us involved in. Some say the word of God is not real it is a fairy tale. Research has proven that people are less stress, have better health and more mental stability due to believing in God, an all-powerful source. One of the devotional songs I grew up singing: “this joy that I have the world did not give it to me and the world cannot take it away.” I encourage you to consider God as your ultimate source for every area of your life. God Bless.
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