A Lesson from Paul and Silas

But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. Acts 16:25-26

Paul and Silas were traveling all over praying for people and preaching the Gospel. They were evangelizing as Jesus commands us to do in Mark 16:15, as He says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Paul & Silas were out in the world doing the will of God. Yet, they were beaten with no cause and thrown in prison unjustly (Acts 16:22-24). Now if you were like me you would ask, What kind of reward is that for preaching the Good News? These men were doing what the Lord had commanded but they were beaten and thrown in prison.  

Certainly, times come when you find yourself doing all that you know to be right. You are serving the Lord with all your heart, exercising humility, loving your enemies, and exhibiting faith you didn’t even know you possessed. But somehow, everything is going wrong in your life. You are treated unfairly, all the doors of opportunity are closed, your prayers don’t seem to be heard, and God seems so far away from your circumstances. The natural response for any human being would be to become discouraged, discontented, grumble and complain against God. Some would even stop praying and stop the work that the Lord has commanded them to do. But look at Paul and Silas…their response is astounding. Acts 16:25 says, “But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them.” While others were sleeping or wallowing in their sorrows, they were wide-awake, encouraging themselves in God because they knew He was in control. They were praying because they knew their future was in His hands. The fact that the other prisoners heard them indicates that they were loud enough for everyone to hear. They weren’t silent with their prayers. They sang aloud to God, worshipping and praising Him.

When it looks like all hope is lost and nothing seems to be working out, don’t complain but pray. Worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. Pray as much as you can. Pray in the morning, on your lunch break, before bed…in the midnight hour. We are to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will make our paths straight before us (Proverbs 3:5-6). Rest in God. Trust in God. Keep doing all that you know to be right. Continue to do the will of God. Be steadfast in prayer and praise. When you do, suddenly your change will come. The Bible says, Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed (Acts 16:26). The doors that were closed will open, the windows of opportunity will come, and the chains that once held you back will not only be loosened for you but for the people around you. The Bible says, everyone’s chains were loosed. There is deliverance in your prayers and there is deliverance in your praise. Therefore, be steadfast in God.

The Lord your God is in your midst, The Mighty One will save, He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

Be Blessed

MY NEW BOOK IS HERE!!!

 

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (KJV)

Romans 8:28 speaks volumes to me this morning as I announce the launch of my new book. Every situation that we go through, if we just bring it to the Lord, He in His own time and His own way will allow that thing to work out for our good & for His glory.

As I sought God and became more serious about my walk with Him, I wanted to live an obedient lifestyle before Him. I wanted to please God with my walk. Now, as a young lady coming from the ways of the world that was and at times still is a challenge for me. However, I made the decision to trust God, be obedient, and wait on Him for a spouse. Once I surrendered and began to live in obedience to God’s ways as a single young woman, I faced different challenges. As I looked around, I realized that I was not the only one experiencing these challenges. As I read different blogs, talked to friends, church members, and colleagues, my spirit became extremely heavy. There were so many singles all over that were weary, discouraged, and deceived. The Lord placed on me such a heavy burden for singles and for this book. 

Thus, with a lot of prayer & God-given courage, I stepped out on faith and published my 1^st book, "Single, Saved, & Seeking Him: Encouragement for the Single Christian" through my new publishing company, Words From Heaven Publishing. The Bible says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). He has certainly directed my path in regards to my single walk with Him…and He will do the same for you. If you’re single, engaged, or know someone that is single, I encourage you to get a copy of this book. As the Lord ministered to me, He gave me His words to minister back to you.

 

I pray that you remain Encouraged as you Seek Him…Be Blessed!

You may purchase a copy of my book HERE

GOD WAITS

1 Peter 3:19-20 After being made alive,[a] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

Do you know that God waits? He suffers long. He is a longsuffering God. 1 Peter 3:20 talks about the longsuffering of God. It talks about how He waited patiently for Noah to build the ark. He waited for Noah to finish so that He could perform His word.

Do you know that God waits for us? The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He waits for us to do what we said we’ll do. He waits for us to come to true repentance. He waits for us to come to Him in prayer. He waits for the morning to come so we may rise to give Him glory & thanks (but some of us never do). He waits. As I asked the question in my heart, God why do I have to wait? He reminded me that He waits too.

Do you know that whatever promise you are waiting for, God is waiting with you? Yes, God works, but He also waits. He waited for Christ to be born in the Earth. He waits for His second coming. He waits with us. Yes, He is the Creator of time & is everywhere at the same time, but He waits. He waits for the appointed times just as we do. He understands the importance of the right time, His time.

We wait for change and for God’s time. Yet, God waits for us to change and He waits for the appointed time to bless us. Therefore, be encouraged as you wait. Know that God is waiting with you.

Be Blessed.

Who Shall Separate you from the love of Christ?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

 

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8-:35-39).

 

The daily struggles of life are enough to make a person depressed and want to give up. From finances, to sickness, to loss of a loved one, the trials we face can cause us to question God’s love and sovereignty. Many times in my own life I’ve asked God, “Where are you? Do You not see me? What are You doing?” Some of the battles we face and trials we endure can cause us to become bitter with God or even lead us astray from the will of God. As I prayed today, I became discouraged because sometimes it seems as if I pray often but get no answer. Though I felt this way, I know that the true reason that I keep seeking God is because I know He exists and He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Another reason that I continue to seek God even though I may not get answers to my prayers right away, is because I’m determined to know and love God. The Lord has put a determination in my heart to love Him, to seek Him, and to serve Him with my whole heart. I believe that this determination has come because of the different tests that I’ve endured, like unanswered prayer.  

 

As I read the scripture it reminded me that no matter what I’m going through God still loves me. And so it is with you. No matter what you are facing, don’t let the enemy tell you that God doesn’t love you, or that He has forgotten about you. That’s a lie. The Apostle Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Will you let these things separate you from the love of God? Be determined to know Him, to love Him, and to commune with Him even in your distress. These things that are happening to you are working out for you a greater glory. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).

 

I want to encourage you today as you read Romans 8:35-39. Nothing that we have done or anything that we face in life is able to separate us from the love of God. He loves us with an everlasting love. Just because you are going through or you don’t get answers to your prayers doesn’t mean that God has stopped loving you. Furthermore, it doesn’t mean that you should stop loving God. So

even when your prayers remain unanswered. Even when you become weary in well doing. Even when you are facing every trial known to man. Ask yourself, “What or who shall separate me from the love of Christ?” The Bible says that even in these various trials, you are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you.

 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body

(2 Corin. 4:7-10).

The Lord is Your Portion

The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. ~ Lamentations 3:24

In the book of Lamentations, what did the Prophet Jeremiah mean when he said the Lord is my portion? The word portion here means inheritance or share. What better inheritance can you have than God?

Over the past few weeks, I have been professing to God that He alone is my portion. No matter what I think I lack, my cup is always running over because God Himself is my portion. The same is true for you. As I looked at Numbers chapter 18, God explained to Aaron the priestly duties that he must share with his sons. After that, God told him that he was to have part of the most holy offerings…from all the gifts the people brought to God as most holy offerings…that part belonged to him and his sons (Num. 18:9).

And this also is yours: the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the Isrealites. I have given them to you and to your sons and to your daughters with you as a continual allowance forever: everyone in your house who is (ceremonially) clean may eat of it. ~ Numbers 18:11

Aaron lacked no good thing because God was his portion. God told Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in the land [of the Israelites]; neither shall you have any part among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites” (Num. 18:20). Oh my goodness, in other words God was separating Aaron and proclaiming that his portion was God Himself. We who are Christians belong to God and God belongs to us.

Sometimes we look at the world and the people in it and we think they are winning or getting over on God. God is saying to us, “Don’t worry about it. They have already received their share. As for you, I AM your portion.” In Psalm 73 Asaph complained about this very thing. He said, “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:2-3). He then proclaims, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever (Psalm 73:26). He knew that no matter what happened in this life, as long as he had Almighty God on his side, his inheritance was great.

David said in Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. God is your Provider, your Guide, and your Shield. You shall not lack any beneficial thing. Understand that if God is your portion, nothing else matters. He alone has all power, all might, all strength, all wisdom, and all resources. He is inexhaustible. How can you lose? If God is your portion, circumstances and people won’t dictate your disposition. You have all you need in Him. God Himself is your reward.

In a vision, God told Abram in Genesis 15:1,“Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great." And since Abraham is our ancestor in the faith, this inheritance has been passed down to us.

The cares of this life are enough to burden us with feelings of hopelessness, depression, fear, and anxiety. However, we are to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (1Peter 5:7). Remember: Fear not, God is your Shield, your Portion, and your exceedingly great reward.

Be Blessed...in Jesus name.

Do You Really Know God?

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Phillipians 3:10-11

            How did you come to know those that are the closest to you? You probably spent a lot of time with them over an extended period. We naturally come to know each other through relationships (fellowship) with each other. In a relationship you usually communicate often - you stay connected to that person. As a result, a bond and a relationship is formed. You can say with an honest heart that you know that person. The same way we get to know people, we can get to know God. Knowing God derives from a relationship. You didn’t become acquainted with those closest to you by weekly rituals and practices. Similarly, you don’t get to know God by weekly rituals and practices. Christian spirituality is about your relationship with God, not religion (Don’t use that as an excuse to skip church, ha-ha).

            We get to know the character of God as we invite Him into our everyday affairs. We also get to know God by studying His Word because the Word is God (John1:1) and studying the life of Jesus, who is the Word of God (Rev. 19:13), and was God is the flesh. Getting to know God is a moment-by-moment, hour-by-hour, day-by-day relationship and conversation with the Father.

  So many of us go to church but don’t have a solid relationship with God. He longs to fellowship with us. When we are in fellowship with God, we are less likely to give in to certain temptations and think erroneously about the different trials we face in life. When tribulation comes, instead of blaming God you will learn to thank God because you know that He is working all things out for your good (Romans 8:28). To know God is to understand His attributes and become acquainted with Him. How can we say we know God if we don’t understand who He is? Many times God will position us where He can reveal Himself to us. For instance, God allows you to lose your job. God can show Himself to you as your Provider in this circumstance. Sometimes, the uncomfortable circumstances that God allows are simply a means for you to get to know God. It’s a way for Him to make Himself known to you.

            I’ve learned that prayer is vital in my journey of getting to know God. It’s in prayer that God will instruct, correct, comfort, and answer us. It’s important to your Christian walk that you have that one-on-one time with God. If you look at Moses, he often withdrew from the people to talk with God. The bible says that God spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend (Ex. 33:11). That’s my heart’s desire – to be that close to God. Psalm 103:7 says, “God made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” There was a difference between the type of relationship that Moses had with God compared to the children of Israel. They knew His works (God blessed me with a job, a car, a spouse, etc). However, Moses knew the ways of God. He understood God. He knew God personally. It’s one thing to know of a person, but it’s another to intimately know someone.
 

            No matter what challenges we face in life, we should be able to stand because of our knowing God. He is faithful, He is able, He is a deliverer, and He knows all things. The enemy may try to discourage and sway you away from the will of God, but because you know your God, you can withstand. Daniel 11:32 says, “And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]." Those who don’t know God or understand His ways are likely to give up under pressure. However, those who know God will withstand the pressure, receive the anointing, and do great things for God.

       This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: That they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Get to know God.

Be Blessed.