Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home1/heartof6/public_html/blog/wp-content/themes/responsive-mobile/includes/functions-extentions.php on line 35
Home › 2012 › January

Monthly Archives: January 2012

If You Hold Your Peace, You Will Find It

Posted on by

There is no height or depth of a distance that I would go to find peace sometimes, especially the kind that will help me to stand still in the presence of God! It is when we have true peace over things that we are able to hold our words when we are angered, right? I praise the God that I serve because I know of the experiences that I have had to know this first hand. Just remember to allow God to guide you in your conversation and you will not find yourself in a place where you are confused and feel like you are slipping in your confidence.

When it comes to being a powerful witness, it’s important to carry your confidence with not just words, but in the peace in your mind and heart by the spirit you carry within. Sometimes it’s not how much we can give or how much we can say but simply how we can be there by being a Godly comfort to one another. And as we learn to do that for one another, it becomes easier for ourselves (and vice versa). Some of the greatest influences I have ever been encouraged by never said a word to me; they were simply there and gave me a hug.

The greatest thing that I could say today is that when you want to give something in abundance that you must possess it. To give great wisdom and powerful moving encouragement you must first receive that word of the Lord and apply it! As you grow and begin to build up your life you can begin to let your words speak to others in a way you have never seen before!

A Must Have Scripture Checklist For Every Ministry

Posted on by

2 Timothy 3:1-5

[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

As we read from the text here, we are reminded that as time lingers on that we as people will become more consumed with ourselves than we will with God. It is very easy to find one’s self in any of these sorts of qualities when we are lovers of pleasures more than of God. Some people settle to the point and just tell me, “that is just the kind of world that we live in”. I will admit that in moments that I have seen and observed this part of the word of God literally coming into truth. This does not mean, however, that we that are lovers of God should be within this kind of position! I refuse to believe that we as people are not capable of living above these sorts of things! With the power of God helping us to do overcome you are able to do all things!

Romans 12:1-14

[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
[7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
[8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

As you read this, think on the word “soberly” and consider being in a place of good standing with a clean heart and mind before God. If we are living in the world and doing any old thing, I cannot expect the power of God to begin to bless in abundance every part of the ministry that it makes reference to here. We must think clearly and have our desires in check with God being first! We do this by presenting something before God that is living, or continual. If I never waiver from praying and having a God-fearing lifestyle, then the probability for me to willingly volunteer myself to my own struggles is drastically reduced! When you are working continual and are thinking clearly before God, He will bless you with the ability to see your ministry flourish!

2 Corinthians 8:7-14

[7] Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
[8] I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
[9] For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
[10] And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
[11] Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
[12] For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
[13] For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
[14] But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

As we learn to live before God soberly (cleanly) and to put God first and to not have a more dominant desire for the world, there will begin to grow a great love and compassion in your heart. With more of the presence of God in your life, it cannot help but manifest within you and bring all of the fruits of the spirit! One of the hardest parts about the love of God once we have the mind to realize we have it is to use it (or as it reads to perform the doing of it). The difference-making power is neither in how flashy things are to the eye nor how great they sound to the ear; for it is simply by how people are drawn by the power of God that lives within you! And as each and every one of us learns to work together in a church as a body, it truly presents equality and a lifting of the heavy burdens from just a few to creating a situation where everyone walks with lighter loads!

2 Timothy 2:3-15

[3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
[4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
[5] And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
[6] The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
[7] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
[8] Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
[9] Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
[10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
[11] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
[12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
[13] If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
[14] Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Another translation says to give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and properly handles the Word of Truth. As we read this, it is important to remember when we begin to apply all of these great things into our lives to not mishandle the word of God by deliberately going against it. There are other scriptures that point out that for a person to know right and to stray from it that to them it is sin. So I say this in all sincerity: let us not pretend that we do not know how to live for God when we have been living “religion” for so long. When you perform the doing of it, this part comes easy. It is when we stray from God that we will know to help our brother and neglect the duty of it, right?

1 John 3:16-21

[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
[17] But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
[20] For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
[21] Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

So what is it at the end of the day that should keep us continually going? First of all, the presence of God should keep the parts of you that fall weak going strong. The knowledge of the Word of God will teach you to stray from things that will harm you and lead you to help others in the same way. The desire in your heart will stay as long as you are continual present something to God often. And most importantly, the compassion can stay in your heart if you stay humble and put the needs of others before yourself. It is hard to do when we could so easily be selfish at the drop of a hat! People need us in deed and truth and not just in a “I will be there when you need me” catchphrase! Show someone you love them today! Operate in the calling God has given you. Do not stray in trials and pray for strength in tough times. Do not settle for the religious opinions. Seek for the wisdom of God to keep you! It works every time!

Thank God For The Tough Stuff

Posted on by

Matthew 7:13-16

[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
[14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
[16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Have you ever been in a place where you have found it hard to sing at church? To worship? To preach? Or even to witness? I am sure at some point that we have all been there in a place where we found it to be a battle to get to a place where we were enjoying our walk with God. When we read about narrow, consider another way of referring to narrow as difficult. All the efforts of worth and excellence that we make are going to be difficult. The Christian life is going to be tough as we attempt to truly live it as well. The great thing about it is that though it may be hard at times that within its design we have the ability to trust God! We can stir ourselves to trust God by the salvation that lives inside! You will know the fruits that you and others are bearing are ones that are able to reach out and be of help to others!

Philippians 2:12-13

[12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
[13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

God saves people through salvation and His marvelous grace, and this is where we must learn to begin to stir ourselves regardless of where we are. You may have some praying and casting off of things to do, but it is of Gods good pleasure that is worked when you submit to His will. If we start at the redemption and simply do what He would call for us to, you will find amazing changes and new beginnings ahead of you.

Hebrews 2:9-11

[9] But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
[10] For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
[11] For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Thank God for the difficult things to do! Jesus is bringing many to glory, and to be made perfect through sufferings we cannot be shielded. It will take effort, and bravery, and courage, and faith, and holiness, but God gave us all of things things to create within us a person that can love and lead others to the Kingdom of Heaven!

11 Defiling Things To Be On Guard For

Posted on by

Mark 7:19-23

[19] Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
[20] And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
[21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
[22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
[23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

When you begin to think about all of the parts of yourself that you wish that you could change, I am sure there are many things that come to mind. One thing that I have learned about God is that if we are willing that He can work with us to change each and every part of us that is lacking or is continually falling into defeat in something. After reading the passage above, I felt led just to list out into more detail some of the things that proceed out of our hearts:

1 ) Fornication and adultery – any act or sexual traffic or capacity
2 ) Theft – kieptes and legtes – tiny and large acts of stealing (as a pilferer and brigand)
3 ) Murderer – all violent deeds
4 ) Coveting – idolatry, whose sole purpose is gaining and getting
5 ) Wickedness – unspiritual and ungodly conduct
6 ) Deceit – cunning, craft, and art of deception
7 ) Lasciviousness – acknowledge no restraint has no shame
8 ) Evil eye – jealous grudges or envy
9 ) Railing – speaking against (men) or blasphemy (God)
10 ) Pride – absence from the heart spiritually unconscious
11 ) Foolishness – one who lives not by morals

With this listed it is very easy to identify how our walk with God can be so easily diminished. As we allow one or more of these types of feelings to overwhelm us, we begin to lose our ability to believe in God and defile the power that we normally have. So what can we begin to do? One of my recommendations under the leadership of God would be to put each and every one of these things under subjection and complete defeat when possible. These listed things are not things to live with, but to live without! Learn to get these out and put more of God’s love in and to bear the fruits of the spirit in your heart.

Being Hungry For God

Posted on by

Exodus 33:12-23

[12] And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
[13] Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
[14] And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
[15] And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
[16] For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
[17] And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
[18] And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
[19] And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
[20] And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
[21] And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
[22] And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
[23] And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

As Moses had found grace in the sight of God, his words resounded with a hunger for more of God. This is something that I am personally longing for now more than ever, and am encouraging you to have it in your heart as well. Strive to have a hunger for the presence of God. Do not let God be just another thing or even close to comparison to anything else; for when we let our walk with God get in this state, truly it is hard to endure life without His strength. You see, Moses became and was hungry for God’s glory. Some have come to church just to come to know a feeling or to fill the void of the age old curiosity to know of a spiritual presence to exist. As we strive, let us ask God to be glorified in each and every part of our lives when it is possible. If you can get a word in edgewise to glorify God about a success, then I say it’s Gods! If can have a spiritual moment no matter where it is and draw others to Christ, I say lead on! Let people see and know what God is all about!

As you continue to read on, Moses was seeking a brand new vision. He wanted to be led only by God and none other. In fact, he did not want to go anywhere lest God was his guide. What an attitude to have for a spiritual leader and how that will greatly affect their vision in such a wonderful way! God will be with you! Even though sometimes the plan is so great that we cannot comprehend the fullness thereof, just remember that the cleft of the rock is such a safe place to be.

Mary’s Song Should Teach Us To Sing

Posted on by

Luke 1:46-55

[46] And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
[47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
[48] For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
[49] For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
[50] And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
[51] He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
[52] He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
[53] He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
[54] He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
[55] As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

When you read this particular passage, it makes you begin to wonder what it was that gave her so much joy to rejoice in the manner that she did. As you read on back when the angel comes to visit her (Luke 1:26-38), it makes you begin to think about how that we would have handled the same situation. I’m sure in the moment that the angel would have spoken the words to some of us that we may have laughed or rose to anger. We live in a day were we have to have results and have little patience for anything. The word she received from the angel Gabriel stirs me to know that “the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee”. This, you can say in humor must have been the most anointed and easiest pregnancy of all time!

In reading just a little further when Mary goes to visit Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45), it blows me away to know that just the hearing of the words of Mary followed with the child leaping in her womb. It was not only that, but Elizabeth with filled with the Holy Ghost as well. What does this tell me? Sometimes just the very salutation that you have from the anointing that you carry can help to stir the power within someone else. It is a powerful thing, and is not utilized enough today!

So in closing, I realize why she did praise God. She was humbled, and regarded herself for who she was and called herself blessed by what God had given and not what she had done in works. And today, I want us to all remember to do the same. Remember who you are and remember how blessed you are by knowing who God is and how He overshadows you with His power!

What To Do When You Do Not Know What To Do

Posted on by

If there is one feeling that everyone knows more than any other, it would definitely be related to being confused or unsure right before the next choice or decision (especially the bigger ones that involve more than just yourself). The anxiety alone can almost feel just as bad if not worse than the decision or even the consequences if a decision went wrong. You see, worry and uncertainty are both directly related to fear as they are types of fear when applied to certain situations. I have to win this battle before and even sometimes when the times are hard; for me or anyone to say otherwise is misleading.

So what do we do?

Well, the first thing to do is run to God with the fully established trust in your heart. God is the only presence in my life that has not let me down! The second thing is to use that established trust to lay down as much as (if not all) of the “I do not know what to do” anxiety. You must begin to pick up faith as God builds it up within you, otherwise you will be stuck in step two with the ability to know God can do it but do not trust God to! And finally, the last couple of steps is to follow through on the spiritual guidance and leadership that God will direct you in. It is also important to receive instructions for change as well! Sometimes we miss the increase because we are not willing to decrease.

I know this does not apply to EVERY situation, but it can help with a lot of the issues that we can prevent and learn to overcome before they ever begin! Trust God greater! I believe in you!

The Concept Of “With All My” Being Applied To Love

Posted on by

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thine soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates”

To break this away from being standard commentary, I’ll simply put it like this: this is the part of love that is missing today. Loving from the heart requires a lot of due diligence, patience, understanding, and paying attention to details one normally would pass on by. Loving from the heart will love in spite of faults and help to promote the greater good in one who has failed. Most importantly, loving from the heart is the fuel and the passion that drives everything else in our lives.

I will be real honest with you today. It is hard to see people try so hard in church and at life and still feel like that they fail. When asked directly about what needs to begin to change, the first thing I always reference to is starting to love God with all of your heart in a greater way. Upon hearing this people generally will typically roll their eyes, laugh, or almost get angry with me as if I am questioning or judging them. You can laugh if you wish, but the truth to this is that no one really wants to hear honest answers about why we fail!

Here’s the bottom line: if we love God more, the qualities of God begin to reflect in us and help us to succeed and give us strength when we feel like we do not. As you love God greater, the amount of self-admitted failures dramatically reduce and begin to be turned into parts of life that are continually mended by God’s leadership. And finally, to my favorite part I say this: as we have a strong foundation in love, we are able to love others the way they need to be loved!

Replacing Old Things With God’s Brand New

Posted on by
I thank God for the many blessings I have been given. There is no doubt that I have been blessed beyond measure, even when one would beg to differ in comparison to worldly possessions. All the great things of the wonderful God that we serve do not always necessarily come as things in monetary value. If you consider this concept with me, you would also know that some of the best gifts that God has given are to replace things that you have lost.

I have lost many possessions, but nothing compared to the day when I came to the truth in my mind and realized that I would lose my soul without a relationship to Christ. God gave me the gift of salvation to replace my hopelessness of feeling so lost and is by far my single greatest possession.

You have to understand something today: the decision to replace it was not hard. The part that proved difficult was dealing with the part of me that was intimidated by what others thought about me. After I realized that beginning to believe in Christ was what I needed, the feelings grew stronger. I had fear, plain and simple. God was wonderful in replacing my fears with confidence. How? Through the work of other children of God, of course!

So this is my simple thought today: we must allow God to be the strength in our weakness, regardless of what it is. You could be in bondage to addiction, or having problems at home or at work; however I assure you that there is nothing too hard for God. Simply believe and submit to the call that He places in your life and do not fear. Be established and help others in their time of need!

New Beginnings and Old Endings

Posted on by

Welcome to another year in your life! If you are reading this today, than God has a spectacular plan in store for you in the upcoming future. One would ask, “how do you know this about me when you do not know me?”, and my response is simply this: it is God’s pleasure to do great things and to be glorified through your life!

As you embark upon this next few months, do not make resolutions that will fall through just as they always do. Make some fresh commitments to Christ and get out there and start beginning to make a difference in your life and the lives of others!

Do not let another year go by with doubt and regret. Step out and do the things you were afraid to do before. Be more obedient and faithful to believe in what God is trusting you to do. There are lives hanging in the balance all around you, whether you may realize it or not.

Most importantly, remember your self worth and the worth of your walk with God. Never forget its value in the good or bad times and always remember to utilize every part that God has placed in you to give you strength for the trials ahead.

May God bless you abundantly this year, and I pray that everyone’s churches and ministries go further than they ever imagined!