For the last couple of weeks, my church has been fasting for “the come up”. You know, asking God to show us and grow us in the areas of our lives where we need to come up. It’s been challenging and enlightening at the same time. Well today as I was waking up, I heard the words “cut off”. Yep, it’s okay to start getting nervous! It’s smack dab in the middle of the Lenten season so I guess it’s appropriate to look at the places, things, people, etc that are no longer adding value or causing harm to your life.
Let me pause here though before I go on. This is not an exercise in pettiness. I am not giving you permission to cut up because you haven’t been mature enough or bold enough to make a decision and stand by it. Nope, this is an opportunity to take inventory of your life and identify the leaks, excess, and lack. You know, the places where your joy and peace have been slowly draining out, the places where you have filled your hard places with overeating, overspending, and overfilling your calendar, and the places where you just don’t have anything left to give.
Here’s the thing with cutting off what is not good for you. It is not about the other person, the thing or the place. It is about you and your growth. It is about recognizing where you may have allowed access to your heart and spirit that should have been denied or limited a long time ago. It is about moving on from what is no longer helping you to advance. There are several places in the Bible that talk about pruning but the words of Jesus are the most profound to me. “He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” (John 15:2 NLT) I would encourage you to read the whole chapter but my point is this. The things that have to be cut off are not things you don’t care about or enjoy. Nope, they typically mean something to you. Notice that Jesus said that the Father cut off every branch of “mine” that didn’t produce fruit. They weren’t random branches, folks! But they were the things that were no longer beneficial for growth. Today, it’s time to take stock and then take action. Whether it’s cutting off or cutting back…do it! It’s for your good!
Amen
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Saturday, March 23, 2019
What to do about change...
Change is inevitable. People will change, circumstances will change, even your mind will change. It is a part of life that is unavoidable and hard. I mean, what happens when something changes that you are used to having or happening? Do you throw a fit or throw in the towel? What is your response?
I have been tossing these thoughts around in my head over the last several weeks as I looked at my life. I have searched and searched for the most comforting answer and still been left without much comfort. And then, I was reminded of a verse that the church has completely worn out on the scale of churchiest phrases. But in it, I found a peace that I had not previously understood.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”(Hebrews 13:8 NKJV)
Take a minute with that! I mean, really take it in and SELAH. No matter what your bank account says, Jesus is the same! No matter what your marriage feels like today, Jesus is the same. No matter where you go, Jesus Christ is the same. Regardless of what happens to your routine, He is the SAME! Come on! He is the same yesterday, today AND forever! So many times, this is where you miss it, you react with your emotions when God is trying to get you to see His consistency. He wants you to see that in a world that is constantly changing, you can count on Him to give you stability.
Listen, change and I have been spending a lot of time together recently! However, this short and immensely powerful verse has shown me that I don’t have to worry. Why? Because regardless of how my plans, life, crew, etc. change, the God I serve doesn’t. Stop worrying about who or what comes and goes and put your trust in the One who promised to never leave or forsake you.
Amen
I have been tossing these thoughts around in my head over the last several weeks as I looked at my life. I have searched and searched for the most comforting answer and still been left without much comfort. And then, I was reminded of a verse that the church has completely worn out on the scale of churchiest phrases. But in it, I found a peace that I had not previously understood.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”(Hebrews 13:8 NKJV)
Take a minute with that! I mean, really take it in and SELAH. No matter what your bank account says, Jesus is the same! No matter what your marriage feels like today, Jesus is the same. No matter where you go, Jesus Christ is the same. Regardless of what happens to your routine, He is the SAME! Come on! He is the same yesterday, today AND forever! So many times, this is where you miss it, you react with your emotions when God is trying to get you to see His consistency. He wants you to see that in a world that is constantly changing, you can count on Him to give you stability.
Listen, change and I have been spending a lot of time together recently! However, this short and immensely powerful verse has shown me that I don’t have to worry. Why? Because regardless of how my plans, life, crew, etc. change, the God I serve doesn’t. Stop worrying about who or what comes and goes and put your trust in the One who promised to never leave or forsake you.
Amen
Friday, March 8, 2019
You sure?
Hello friends! As you can obviously tell, it is not
Thursday! I have had a long week of
traveling, unexpected delays, and awkward security experiences. (Don’t ask!) So yesterday was not working with me. However,
as I lay on my bed last night, listening for God, I expected something deeply
spiritual to revive me from the pit of “do nothing”. Instead, I heard “make
your election sure.” Now, I’m a preacher so I have heard that phrase on
countless occasions but I wasn’t quite sure what God was trying to tell me in
that moment. I know what I thought it
meant but again my mind was not together. So I went to the scriptures, looking
for clarity and found myself in the Amplified Version of 2 Peter 1:10 and it
says,
“Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about
His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms
your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing
these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live
a life that leads others away from sin];”
It is tempting to make this scripture about your decision to
accept the call of God on your life. I mean that is the churchiest way. However,
today, I realized that it is more about representing the call well. You see,
your flesh would say that God called you and you answered and that is enough. When
in reality, your response is the key. God is not only looking for your yes but authenticity
along with it. Your decisions, behavior,
and maturity should reflect who God is and what kind of relationship you have
with Him. It is not enough to say, “I am chosen” without living a holy life
that is pleasing to God. It is not enough to say “I am a minister” without
studying to show yourself approved. It is definitely not enough to say “God
called me” but you are unteachable and unreachable.
Amen
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Made it!!
This morning the Lord highlighted a scripture for me about the Israelites that I don’t really remember. I’m sure that I have read it before but today it just seemed brand new. “For the Lord your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the Lord your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing.”’”(Deuteronomy 2:7 NLT)
Maybe I’m reflecting on this passage because as I write this, it is the last few minutes of my 30s. But it really struck me today what the Lord was saying to these people that had both doubted and celebrated Him, disappointed Him and made Him proud, followed Him and then regretted it. Yet in all of that back and forth, God was still there. In the midst of their most challenging time, wandering in the wilderness, He provided for them and kept them safe. Think about this now. No matter what your wilderness has looked like, you are still alive to read this post. No matter what your family did, you still have a future. No matter where you may have gone wrong, you still have a purpose. God has been there the entire time, loving you and providing for you. It’s an overwhelming thing, if you think about it. A God that literally owes you nothing gave it all for you. Does that blow your mind like it does mine?
Maybe I should say it another way. You made it! Really…you made it here to February 28th, 2019. So many of us shouldn’t have made it out of 1999 but here you are. Through it all, the Lord your God has been with you. Blocking the car from running you off the road, stopping the heart attack, keeping your mind. He has been there the whole time! So you see, when I say that you made it, I want you to really think about that thing because what you do next is affected. If you can celebrate making it, what ails you won’t wear you out. If you can just shout ”I made it”, what overwhelmed you last week will be a distant memory this week.
I just want you to know that the Lord never left you. Never! Not in the middle of the wilderness and not in the middle of your yes. It may have gotten cloudy and lonely but He was there and and guess what? That won’t change!
Amen
Maybe I’m reflecting on this passage because as I write this, it is the last few minutes of my 30s. But it really struck me today what the Lord was saying to these people that had both doubted and celebrated Him, disappointed Him and made Him proud, followed Him and then regretted it. Yet in all of that back and forth, God was still there. In the midst of their most challenging time, wandering in the wilderness, He provided for them and kept them safe. Think about this now. No matter what your wilderness has looked like, you are still alive to read this post. No matter what your family did, you still have a future. No matter where you may have gone wrong, you still have a purpose. God has been there the entire time, loving you and providing for you. It’s an overwhelming thing, if you think about it. A God that literally owes you nothing gave it all for you. Does that blow your mind like it does mine?
Maybe I should say it another way. You made it! Really…you made it here to February 28th, 2019. So many of us shouldn’t have made it out of 1999 but here you are. Through it all, the Lord your God has been with you. Blocking the car from running you off the road, stopping the heart attack, keeping your mind. He has been there the whole time! So you see, when I say that you made it, I want you to really think about that thing because what you do next is affected. If you can celebrate making it, what ails you won’t wear you out. If you can just shout ”I made it”, what overwhelmed you last week will be a distant memory this week.
I just want you to know that the Lord never left you. Never! Not in the middle of the wilderness and not in the middle of your yes. It may have gotten cloudy and lonely but He was there and and guess what? That won’t change!
Amen
Thursday, February 21, 2019
It is well!
I was laying here at almost 10:00 waiting on the Lord to speak to me when these words started echoing in my spirit…
I don’t know if you have ever had a crazy week or times when your mind wouldn’t stop racing, or you are overwhelmed by what you have left to accomplish. Well, I have and sometimes the only appropriate response to that situation is “it is well”. Why? Because there is power in understanding that you just don’t have the answer. “It is well” is the white flag that you wave to tell the Lord that you’re handing over the reins to Him. There is no more trying to fix it or control it but rather a willingness to let God do whatever He planned to do anyway.
Today, I just want to let you know that it is well! You will get the work done. You will recover from the loss. You will find the answer and you will grow to your next stage You see? Don’t you feel better?
The Shunamite woman in 2 Kings 4 answered “it is well” when everything was far from well. Her son was dead and she had no easy way to fix it. However, her response shut her doubt and despair up. It pushed her toward change and breakthrough and challenged her to put her faith where her words were! I don’t have anything deep for you today but what I do have is an assurance. You have what it takes to get through whatever you are facing. It is well!
Amen
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
I don’t know if you have ever had a crazy week or times when your mind wouldn’t stop racing, or you are overwhelmed by what you have left to accomplish. Well, I have and sometimes the only appropriate response to that situation is “it is well”. Why? Because there is power in understanding that you just don’t have the answer. “It is well” is the white flag that you wave to tell the Lord that you’re handing over the reins to Him. There is no more trying to fix it or control it but rather a willingness to let God do whatever He planned to do anyway.
Today, I just want to let you know that it is well! You will get the work done. You will recover from the loss. You will find the answer and you will grow to your next stage You see? Don’t you feel better?
The Shunamite woman in 2 Kings 4 answered “it is well” when everything was far from well. Her son was dead and she had no easy way to fix it. However, her response shut her doubt and despair up. It pushed her toward change and breakthrough and challenged her to put her faith where her words were! I don’t have anything deep for you today but what I do have is an assurance. You have what it takes to get through whatever you are facing. It is well!
Amen
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Love.
“I am love.” As I was asking the Lord what to say today, I
received this response. I sat with it pretty much all day. You know, letting it
sink in and trying to think what to add to it. Now, I realize that there is
nothing else needed. You see, that is where folks get in trouble with the
concept of love. They try to complicate love with conditions and expectations,
not to mention memories and failures. By the time, you try to get to the core
definition of what love is, it has been so diluted by what man has attached to
it that the real depth has been lost. It truly is as simple as the Lord’s
statement. He is love and He is enough. I know you wanted something deep but that
is as deep as it needs to be. If people would just let God’s love shine through
their actions, their speech, their marriage, how they raised their children,
how they give, and their responses, the world would be in a much better place.
So today is just about reminding you about the precious and effective love of
God. It is cleansing, perfecting, and redeeming. It is everlasting, kind, and
patient. It overshadows and casts out fear and it covers all offense. It is
everything that you need and more than enough. It is God.
We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in
perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:14
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. –
1 John 4:8
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of
these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:3
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for
his friends. – John 15:13
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
May you always know and receive the special and all-encompassing
love of God. It heals, delivers, and saves and will keep you warmer than the
gifts or words of man. May you feel that love today and everyday of your life.
Amen
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Go find your YES!!
It’s super late and I am just getting to a place where I could put anything on paper. For that reason, I’m not going to belabor the point or stress you out with a long post. I just want to remind you to remember your yes!
Life, circumstances, attacks, etc love to distract you from what you are supposed to be doing. We know that and almost expect those things to happen. But what about the things of God – your ministry, your title/position, your purpose? What happens when those things take your attention and focus away? Today, the Lord wanted me to remind you of why you first said yes. Not your call “yes” or your elevation “yes” but your salvation yes, your repentance yes, your confession yes. You see, if you are tired, frustrated or waiting on an answer, take a moment and reflect on why you said yes in the first place. It wasn’t for the spotlight or the likes on Instagram. It was your very life and it is worth a revisit.
The people that you are looking to follow your ministry and attend your event, will find you at your yes. They will see the passion and the excitement that flowed so freely from you when you first felt God in your heart. It’s time to go back and find your yes. Stop waiting on the Lord to say something deep and begin to worship Him for how He plucked you out of sin’s grasp and set you on a new path!
The Lord reminded me of what was said in 1 Corinthians 1:20 this morning, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”(II Corinthians 1:20 NKJV)
If yes was such a powerful word that all of His promises are answered in it, why have we become so lackadaisical about our yes? How have we moved so far away from it? It’s time to get back to what you said to God in the first place, I promise that your why and your next will become clear!
Amen
Life, circumstances, attacks, etc love to distract you from what you are supposed to be doing. We know that and almost expect those things to happen. But what about the things of God – your ministry, your title/position, your purpose? What happens when those things take your attention and focus away? Today, the Lord wanted me to remind you of why you first said yes. Not your call “yes” or your elevation “yes” but your salvation yes, your repentance yes, your confession yes. You see, if you are tired, frustrated or waiting on an answer, take a moment and reflect on why you said yes in the first place. It wasn’t for the spotlight or the likes on Instagram. It was your very life and it is worth a revisit.
The people that you are looking to follow your ministry and attend your event, will find you at your yes. They will see the passion and the excitement that flowed so freely from you when you first felt God in your heart. It’s time to go back and find your yes. Stop waiting on the Lord to say something deep and begin to worship Him for how He plucked you out of sin’s grasp and set you on a new path!
The Lord reminded me of what was said in 1 Corinthians 1:20 this morning, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”(II Corinthians 1:20 NKJV)
If yes was such a powerful word that all of His promises are answered in it, why have we become so lackadaisical about our yes? How have we moved so far away from it? It’s time to get back to what you said to God in the first place, I promise that your why and your next will become clear!
Amen
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