Worship God Anyway

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped…  Job 1:18-20

This is just a word of encouragement to you who are reading this blog today. In all honesty, this morning I woke up with the urge to sulk and be sad. I woke up disappointed and didn’t even want to pray. But me being the kind of person I am, I got up and told myself, “You don’t have time for this today. Get up, get dressed, and keep it moving. You don’t have time to be sad…sorry.” When you have been praying for change and God has promised you change, but you don’t see anything happening, it can become wearisome. Your heart can become weary from waiting on the Lord for years and trying to keep a smile on your face. The temptation to stop praying and do your own thing presents itself and seems like the reasonable option. The urge to be sad and depressed instead of worship can seem logical. However, as I was driving to work the Holy Spirit reminded me of this righteous man named, Job. As everything that was beloved to him was taken away, he fell down and worshipped God. When things were not going his way, when it seemed God had forgotten him, he worshipped. The bible says in Job 1:22, “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”

As I drove I poured out my heart before the Lord. The Holy Spirit began to tell me to worship God anyway. As I exalted Him, the Holy Spirit began to bring to my remembrance certain scriptures. I then I began to recite them back to God. As you’re standing on the promises and Word of God, you have to give God back His Word. The bible tells us that He magnifies His Word above all His name (Psalm 138:2). The HCSB version says, “You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else.” He is a God that is true to His Word regardless of what it looks or feels like. The Holy Spirit then reminded me of Abraham as he believed God; it was accredited to him as righteousness. In the beginning of Genesis 15, God makes a covenant with Abraham. He gave Him a promise that seemed impossible to believe. Yet, he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness (Gen. 15:6). Abraham, being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform (Romans 4:21). We have to believe that whatever God has promised, He is able to perform it, even now. And He will do it according to our faith.

Be encouraged. Don’t give in to the enemy today. He wants you to get depressed and not believe the promises of God. He’s after your faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”  Decide that you will bless the Lord at all times and His praise shall continually be in your mouth. The bible says in 1 Thess. 5:18, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ and the just shall live by faith. So by faith, worship God anyway.

Be Blessed.

A.M.

 

Don't Be Moved!

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

I must say that one of my favorite people in the Bible is Apostle Paul. This man went through hell and back, all for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We as believers and disciples can learn a lot from Paul. As we see in Acts 20:17-24, Paul is exhorting the elders in Ephesus. He knows very well that tests and trials await them as they continue to serve the Lord, so he encourages the people before he heads off to Jerusalem. He says in Acts 20:18-19, “Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons. Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews.”  In other words, you guys know me. I have been instant in and out of season, doing the will of God. Serving the Lord not high mindedly but with all humility, with many tears. Wait a minute, did he say with many tears? As I read this the Holy Spirit began to let me know that yes, there will be great days. There is joy in fulfilling your God-given purpose. However, there will be many tears. Why do we think that when we finally surrender and begin to do the will of God sorrow does not follow?

Matthew 13:21 tells us that because of the word persecution comes. Because of the word that you have hidden in your heart you will have trouble. Because you refuse to stop doing the will of God you will have tears. Because you have forsaken the ways of the world persecution will come. This is what Paul was trying to tell them. He said there were many tears and temptations which befell him by the plotting of the Jews. The Jews…the very same people Jesus came to die for…the very same people Apostle Paul was trying to pull out of the fire. Yet, the man of God stood his ground.

As he stepped out on faith and obedience, he headed for Jerusalem knowing that trouble awaited him. He says, “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me” (Acts 20:22-23). The Holy Spirit let him know that trouble awaited him. Nevertheless, he went forward with only one thing on his mind: doing the will of God.

The next verse is so profound that I read it over and over.  He says, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). This is what you call dying to self. He said, “Neither count I my life dear unto myself.”  He was more concerned with doing the will of God than his own happiness or comfortability.  Persecution, temptation, the evil deeds of men, and even imprisonment…through it all he says, "But, none of these things move me." How often do we allow situations, circumstances, or even people to move us? God wants us in a place where our hearts are so loyal and stout in Him that nothing will stop us from doing the work that He has called us to do. Furthermore, God wants us to have joy through it all. In all these things Paul said he wanted to finish his course with joy.

Situations will come where it seems God has left you. People who said they loved and supported you will leave. The very same people you pray for will turn their backs on you. You will be persecuted and talked about because you take a stand for Christ. But, let none of these things move you! God alone is your Rock and your Salvation; He is your Defense; You shall not be greatly moved (Psalm 62:2).

Keep going. Don’t give up. Don’t be moved by what you see or how you feel. King David reminds us in Psalm 55:22 to cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose]. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Be Encouraged.

A.M.

Reminder: God is Faithful

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure; 'Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.  Isaiah 46:10-11

God is a faithful God. I think sometimes as believers we forget just how faithful our God truly is, especially when we are believing God for His word to come to pass in our lives. First, let’s establish what faithful means.

The word faithful means: true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.

     steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant

     reliable, trusted, or believed.

God is the only Faithful One. He is reliable & can be counted on. He is trustworthy. He is not inconsistent. He is not wishy washy. He does not change (Malachi 3:6). If He has declared a thing, it will come to pass. Psalm 119:89–90 declares, “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations.” The other day I took notice of the sun. I realized that it doesn’t matter what natural disasters happen here on earth or what evil takes place in this world, the sun never seizes to rise and set. We can count on the sun to do the same thing every day. God reminded me that the sun is indicative of His character, of His very nature. No matter what evil is done to us or what unpleasant circumstances we may find ourselves in, God is still the same & every word that He has proclaimed over our lives still stands. Nothing can change what God has promised you.

The LORD Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen” (Isaiah 14:24). Forget what it looks like. Never mind what it feels like. What did He say? Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

Our God is so consistent that even if we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). Even when we have those moments of doubt or insecurity about what God has already declared, He is still faithful to do it. Even we His saints cannot reverse what God has already promised to do. Isaiah 43:13 says,” Indeed, before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?” Just look in your bible. Whenever God said He was going to do something He did it. Look at the lives of God’s people all the way from Abraham, Joseph, King David, Elizabeth & Zacharias, and even Mary, the mother of Jesus. Even though it looked one way, in the end God fulfilled every promise. He made good on every word. He did exactly what He told them He would do in their lives. Be encouraged. Know that God will fulfill every promise that He made to you. Your part is faith. Have faith in Him to do it.

God says, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Every word that God speaks is final. He has the final authority and say. He will do it. So relax and smile because what God has promised you is coming!

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. -Isaiah 55:10-11

Be Blessed & Stay Encouraged!

A.M.

***Please remember you can purchase an autographed copy of my book, "Single, Saved, & Seeking Him: HERE

Don't Sell Your Birthright!

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. Hebrews  12:14-17

This scripture has been on my heart for a few weeks now. I’ve read it many times before, but this time it spoke to my heart. In this day and time, it is very easy for us to forsake what we know to be right. The world’s ways and views are everywhere. Everything and anything that contradicts the Word of God is right in our faces. If we are not careful (on guard), we can and will be swept away with the ways of this world.

Since when did it become ok for Christians to badmouth and fight one another? We are to pursue peace with one another. Since when did it become ok to proclaim ourselves as Christians and not pursue holiness anymore? We are to pursue holiness. Without holiness, no man shall see God (Heb. 12:14). We are supposed to look out for one another lest the other falls. When did we stop being our brother/sister’s keeper? We are to forsake sexual immorality and profane things. Who told us that it’s ok to continue sleeping around and show complete disrespect towards the presence of God? When you know better, you do better. We have to do better.

The scriptures talk about Esau. The bible calls him a profane person. Esau could care less about the traditions and blessings of God (Read Gen. 25:29-34). When his brother Jacob asked for his birthright, he said,  “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”  He was so eager to give up his inheritance for something as simple as a morsel of food. He viewed his birthright as a common thing. Sadly, many Christians do the same thing today. We treat the anointing and the grace of  God as a common thing. Don’t you know that you have a birthright in Jesus Christ? When you become a born again believer you inherit some things automatically. What are those things? Some of them are: the anointing of God, the grace of God, the favor of God, the promises of God, God’s hedge of protection, and God’s calling upon your life. What is so important that you would so easily trade your birthright for it? I don’t care what or who it is, don’t forfeit your inheritance. It’s not worth it.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been waiting 10-15 years for the promises of God to come to pass in your life. Don’t step outside the will of God and disqualify yourself from what God has planned for you. The amplified version of Hebrews 12:17 says, “For you understand that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected (disqualified and set aside), for he could find no opportunity to repair by repentance [what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], although he sought for it carefully with [bitter] tears.” Esau disqualified himself by the decision he made and the lack of reverence he had for the ways of God. Even when he wanted to repair what he had done by repentance, it was too late. He had to live with the decision that he made. Be careful not to abort the destiny you have in God. Your anointing and your calling is too precious.

I know it gets hard sometimes to keep God’s ways, but God says in Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Continue on in Christ by faith. Continue to do the right things by faith. God will honor your faithfulness. Don't sell your birthright! I pray that this has blessed you as it has blessed me.

Keep Striving.

With Love,

A.M.




Book Signing Celebration!!!

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].   2 Corinthians 9:8 

I thank God for His willingness and ability to produce anything good through me. It is God who works in and through us to produce the good things in our lives; it’s not us. It’s not because we are so good and deserving, but because God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His saints (Psalm 35:27). It is because of His goodness that we are able to attain and accomplish the things that we have. Remember, it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

With that being said, I’m grateful and humbled to announce my upcoming book signing. Single, Saved, & Seeking Him is a book full of encouragement & wisdom for those that are single who desire to be married, have no desire to get married, and/or engaged to be married. It’s also for those that are single and struggling to live the Christian lifestyle. The book bluntly speaks to the different challenges that many single Christians face in their everyday lives. Not just women, but men as well. Furthermore, I’ve been told by those who have read it that the book speaks to all Christians with topics such as Surrender, God’s Timing, & Temptation.

This book and every book signing that God allows, are not about me but it’s about Jesus and what the Lord wants to do. So if you are single or know someone that is single, then come on out. This book is sure to be a blessing to you and/or your loved one.

 

This is my 1st book signing so indeed it will be a celebration! The Bible tells us that it is the gift of God that every man should eat, drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor (Eccl. 3:13). And that is what I intend to do!

 

You may purchase a copy of my book HERE.

 

Be Blessed & thanks for your support. See you there!

 

 

Persistent Prayer

And He said to them, Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and will say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves [of bread], For a friend of mine who is on a journey has just come, and I have nothing to put before him; And he from within will answer, Do not disturb me; the door is now closed, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and supply you [with anything]? I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. Luke 11:5-10Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

What is the Lord trying to tell us in this parable? Persistent and insistent prayer is rewarding. If this man’s friend who is NOT God will get up in the middle of the night to give him what he needs because of his persistent asking….how much more will the Lover of your soul give to you?  His friend wouldn’t even open the door! He talked to him from the inside! But because of his constant asking, the door was opened for him. If you pray to the Lord with this type of adamant persistence, imagine the many doors that He will open for you.

 

The Bible tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). I know that passionate, persistent prayer is not an easy task to accomplish when your back is against the wall. It’s hard to pray when everything around you seems to be falling apart and you’re wondering, Where is God in all of this? So, what should you do when you pray and God is silent? What should you do when you pray and matters seem to get worse? What should you do when your back is against the wall and you’ve prayed your heart out morning, noon, and night…and still no change? The answer: Continue to believe God & keep praying….with shameless persistence and insistence.

 

What does it mean to pray with shameless persistence and insistence? It means going to the altar as much as you need to with no regard of what people might say about you. It means pacing the floor in prayer at 3 a.m. despite the fact that you have to get up in 2 hours. It means to be steadfastly in a posture of prayer and believing God for His help even though others may think you’re crazy. It means continually crying out to God despite of who hears or sees you. It means by faith constantly going before God in prayer despite of what your situation looks like. When was the last time you prayed this way? When was the last time you prayed so hard that the English language could no longer be uttered? Go in. We are to pray without ceasing (Thessalonians 5:17).

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city that kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” Luke 18:1-5

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Luke 18:6-10

 

Pray, pray, pray, and keep praying. Don’t give up on God. Even when nothing makes any sense and He seems far away…allow your faith to draw you into His presence. Keep praying. He will reward your faith & your continual coming. You may be wondering, Why do I have to keep coming to God about the same things? He knows what I need already. He is increasing your faith and working out patience in you. I’ve often felt this way…as if my prayers were hitting the ceiling…but by faith I keep going before God asking for what I need. He always supplies, always. Remember, without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

So, be encouraged today and know that your prayers are not in vain. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Be blessed.