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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.