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The Everyday Word

Find A Good Place Inside And Out

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When it comes to having a fruitful life in God, one of the key pieces is the environment that you are surrounded in. We have wrote about this a lot lately and spoke on this topic it at multiple churches. It’s something we need to do, and do each and every day. I want to expand out on that a little bit to talk about the surroundings of you and your life.

I’ll just be honest with you today. If you are not in a spiritually fruitful church, you will definitely find it harder to grow in your personal life than it should have to be. Having a church with a good spiritual foundation and a willingness to work and reach out will produce a multitude of blessings and impacts upon people’s lives. However, more often than not, we are speaking with people that are in environments that are not providing that fresh spiritual revival that should be happening each and every time the doors open.

I’m not one to recommend that people go “church hopping” to be satisfied, so please let me make this clear. If you find yourself in a church where you are not able to grow due to the environment surrounding you, pray first for another place to go! Don’t just start visiting every church that you know; for sometimes our irrational actions will send the wrong messages to people. Ask yourself first in an honest way if you are doing everything you can to promote growth for yourself and for your church. If we can answer that with certainty and hindrances still prove to be in front of you, seek God for somewhere that you can grow (not somewhere you can go). Find an environment where the love of God is fluent and that you are able to be who God has called you to be.

Don’t let tradition and religion destroy your gifts and callings. Continue to strive to do the best that you can, and seek God in a way that when you feel the call to go and be a help to a new church that you are not going based on your emotions but upon the leadership of the spirit. And when the time is right, God will move for you. It won’t be a forced thing, but something that you know that God has performed. If God opens the door for another place for you to grow, God certainly wouldn’t make it a hard situation from where you are going from.

My whole point is this: Seek God first before we act out of ourselves! Find a place where you can grow and not just exist!

Just In The Nick Of Time, Always On Time!

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When it comes to our prayers and what we have before God, I can say on my (and perhaps anyone’s) behalf that it may not always be when we think it should occur. In fact, I have found many times that rather than being thankful for what I do have that my focus is what I do not. Our human nature is very keen nowadays on picking up on the lack thereof!

I write today such a blessed person. I have came so far in my life, and I have came so far in my own family (and extended family). When I truly consider all the blessings that have came thus far, it is exceptionally hard for me to even have the nerve to ask “why” or “when” from God. In fact, it begins to bring out the spirit of thanksgiving and praise within, as it should within all of us. It should remind us that God never leaves us or forsakes us in our time of need. We should remember each day where we were in the prior days and how far that we have come. If we were to not forget the manner of person we are, we would remember the person we use to be as well.

I know how far I have came personally, and I know (just in the people I have come into contact with) how far so many have came through God. We are all so blessed and have so much to give God praise for this day. Let’s be excited about the blessings of God! Let’s shoot out some thanksgiving praise, and then that faith praise and the faith prayers in the future will be with assurance and confidence!

Be lifted up to know that what God performs is done on God’s time, and when it is done it is for your good! It is to strengthen you and to mold you into that true man and woman of God that was always intended from the very beginning! So take a few minutes today to simply reflect on the good things God has done. Trust me, you will surprise yourself. You might even have a few tears and praises come out of you (and that’s okay)!

Keep Yourself In The Game

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When watching competitive sports, one could easily account for the strength and skill of the athletes that you see going for the victory. When hearing and reading about some of the most successful athletes though, you read about a completely different quality: their heart for the game. You can have all the talent and ability in the world, but without the heart and passion for what you love to do it is without profit to you. In our walk serving God, it’s all as much the same; for without a strong love and desire for the things we do for God, the gifts and talents that God has placed in your life will bring little profit to you or anyone around you. God’s spirit is unlocked when you serve Him with a selfless and unwavering desire: that part of you that will go on regardless of how you feel or what is going on around you!

So wherever you are today, whether you are a member of a church in administration or a part of an outside ministry, remember to keep a love and desire for what you do! Remember why it is that you are there each time you execute the part you contribute. Never let what you do become just “going through the motions”. Get yourself in a place where you are a difference-maker, a person that makes an impact not only in the work but by the life and choices that you make. Let God be glorified each and every day.

Keep yourself in the game! Stay encouraged and count your blessings! The race isn’t over yet! God bless you!

Sometimes It’s Okay To Break Down

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We as people in general love to fancy ourselves as being strong enough to handle anything and everything that life decides to throw at us. And on a very personal level, I use to think as such as well. I tried to be the tough guy; always dealing with things and trying to never shed a single tear (or displaying any kind of emotion in any way). It never failed that in the end that there would always end up being some sort of emotional break up or down at the end of the day when I would be to myself. To make a long story short, it was never meant for us to live in a world where we suppress the emotions that we cannot deal with or understand.

God has provided a way so that we are able to cast all the cares (those things we are emotionally invested in) and weights (those things that bear weight as burdens) off of us! When life becomes to be too heavy, we have to learn to remember to pray and seek God for the comfort, peace, and strength that we will need in the days ahead of us. Trying to deal with these things on our own will never work, simply because we have no where for it to go. When we pray, it is not only a good outlet, but a spiritual one! You not only cast off what is of a burden to you, but God begins to replace it with the very thing that you need! He is the strength for your weakness.

So what are we trying to say today? It’s okay to admit you need help, or are hurting, or are burdened. It’s okay to reach out to God. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to call out for those that believe God for help too! Reach out to God and begin to live a more joyous and peaceful life! You will not regret it!

It’s All About…What?

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Love! It’s all about love!

Everything that you ever read in the bible that was centered around Jesus Christ was centered around love! When I think about trying to put on the frame of thinking and have the “mind of Christ”, it makes me think about love. The list goes on and on: love for my church (and giving to my church), love for the people in church (and out of church), love for the gifts and callings that God has placed in our lives (and using them), and a love for the desire to do what God is calling! It’s short and sweet today. I love God because He first loved me. I love God because of the many outpourings and blessings that always come so undeserving. I love the mercy and grace that we walk in, for without it we would just be lost in life without hope.

Remember to love those around you and to do those things for them in love. Anything that we do otherwise that would be in wrath or not in Godly character cannot be the full and complete witness that God had intended for your life. Make the most of an impact by being in full demonstration of the love of God! It’s fullness within you will pour out and rub off on others and people will not be able to resist it! They will either join in with the fellowship of what you bring or will have to get away! The love bug will get them one way or another! In other words, the spirit of God through conviction by the demonstrated love of your witness is a very powerful thing today!

It’s all about…love!

Running, Running, Running, Hey Where You Going?

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I would take a significant amount of time to write this, but I have three other things that I need to do…wait…that doesn’t sound right does it? When it comes to making time for God, we often come short. It is a growing reality that is starting to trend everywhere that you see. There are those that do a great work and stay in the path for God, and I truly admire them. When I begin to talk to people like that about how it is they stay on track, they always make references to “not getting too busy” or “letting life get too fast”.

I use to joke about that and think that people really only have time for God when they get older and do not have to work so hard for their living. I have definitely changed my outlook on this permanently. I have found that there is always time for God and that it simply goes unnoticed (or in some cases noticed but rejected). In a biblical context, I consider the part about the good samaritan. There were a couple of people that passed by the person who was beaten and in need of someone to have compassion, and yet could not for their own defined reasons. The good samaritan could have passed by as well, but the love and compassion truly worked in this case.

We need to always remember to be careful to not pass by the needs of others and to continually keep the compassion and love of God in our hearts. We keep these things by the continually seeking of God. We keep the continual seeking of God by making time for it! Put it in your datebook, cell phone, outlook calendar, or write it on your hand if you have to! Keep God above all else and you will demonstrate what will not only keep you but help others in their time of need!

Can You Have Too Much Of A Good Thing?

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When I begin to ponder and think of this concept, there is only but one answer that comes to mind: yes, you can.

There are many things that we all love and enjoy in life. Some of them may be hobbies while others are educational and recreational. While these things all can prove to produce some kind of emotional “joy”, let me put out there today that this joy (while good in the moment) is only temporary in the short term. In fact, there is always some form of sacrifice or cost that must come at the expense of an emotional buy. And as we all know, some consequences can far outweigh more than others.

As we continue to seek after God and search for a deeper walk with Him each day, let us remember what it is that keeps us established; for when we seek the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness, all the other things (to me the spiritual fulfilling things) that we need to keep us in our life with joy will begin to be added. With that said, we can never have too much of God. You might even feel burnt out sometimes, but that is because of how life makes us feel “bored” with things so quickly.

I continually remember each day through the experiences that God almighty has performed for me that I can never have too much of God. In fact, the more of God that I have, the less of a desire that I have for the other things that I used to pursue for my temporary joy. Take time throughout your minutes, hours, days and weeks through prayer and the study of the word of God to evaluate yourself to see if the life you present before God is truly pleasing and bringing the spiritual fruit that is full of all the things we all truly desire out of life. Then, you can find fulfillment without the continual pursuit of every other pleasure out there!

Instant Gratification Or A Test Of Patience?

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There have been times in my life where I have prayed for some things and saw what I would like to call instant gratification. In other words, I prayed in a day and God moved likewise. During those times looking back I was always thankful for how quick the move was but never questioned in my mind why God would move so quickly.There have been other times, which seems like now lately more than ever, where I am in desire and in need of things from God for me in my life. I find it more difficult to hang in there with my faith, and especially difficult when in my mind I am thinking “I need this right now”.

The only thing that I have learned in the midst of everything is a few key parts of wisdom that has helped me to keep going. I will share one now I believe with all of my heart and have not shared yet to my knowledge. I feel like that God provides a way for things that will build our faith for the parts of our life that can really glorify Him. You see I did not understand why I received some things so easily and quickly and yet I see so many that have sought for so long. I feel that God had provided with me with something at the time to help me to have strength and patience with the next trial. I definitely did not see back then where I would be today and would not have got where I was without it.

I think at times if I did not have the small blessings of God that I would not be able to handle the bigger pressures of life, especially the things I feel I cannot conquer or change. Now that I have been in some trials that have exceeded the months at a time timeline, it is really testing what I stand for. But by what God has already done (the blood of the Lamb and the words of my experiences) I am able to continue the race. Keep your head up, and wipe those tears. Joy will come, it might not be now, but I pray that God will pour out an incomprehensible blessing for you and your life!

Do You Feel It?

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THE WORD

Isaiah 40:31 – But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Feelings come in many different forms. For example, if you: have been burned by something hot, have been stung or bit by an insect, or have held on to a piece of ice or swam in cold water, etc. It is easy to interpret feelings on a physical level, for they are sensations that we can feel with our body’s senses. There are also things that we can relate to on an emotional level. For example: if someone insults you, if you lose someone that is close to you, or when you are in confusion or conflict over the unknown. These sorts of emotions can be recognized by many because it is something we encounter not only within our senses but through our feelings.

What I want to you to think about today are your daily experiences with the spirit of God. As we start having great times with God we begin to use experiences that God has let us walk through to have a more intimate relationship with Him. As a few examples: faith and testimony praise, worship during altar service, prayer and meditation, reading and studying the bible, the list goes on and on. There are many avenues that God has provided for us so that we can not only believe that He is with us but to know it in our hearts. The spirit of God works through the love in our hearts to help usher those around us that do not know Christ to salvation. When we know God and establish a secure relationship we then see life in a new pair of eyes and see that there is so much more out there to live and enjoy! There is a closeness that God wants us all to have that will keep us through each and every problem we face! Do you feel it today? If you need the comfort of the spirit, seek for it, for it is there to help you today!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

My most urgent prayer for you is that you begin to seek God for a stronger anointing in your life. Surrender your heart and yield to the presence of the Holy Ghost. And as you do, listen to how God will teach you to become a more loving person and an ambassador for the message of Jesus Christ! Live through your problems and let love change your life!

Dust Yourself Off, Today Is A New Day

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THE WORD

Luke 9:5 – And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Tired? Feeling down? Been in a rut lately? Need a friend but no one listens? Sounds like all the other ads you hear on TV? Are you watching too much TV (just kidding!)? If you have been beat down lately and feel hurt from the things happening or people around you, it is time to move on! There were obedient servants in the bible that received very specific instructions when faced with persecution: knock the dust of your feet as a testimony of your victory!

As you seek God begin to pray that God will renew your heart and help you to take a step forward in the right direction! We as Christians do not need to live and dwell within the pain that have stemmed from the troubles surrounding our lives. The hurt we feel emotionally will not allow us to retain peace and joy. In fact, the bible says that the feelings of light (love) and darkness (pain) can have no fellowship with each other. Hurt only promotes the inward destruction of your faith in God and works against the well-being of your very soul! Speak to your situations that are presently difficult and move forward by taking a risk and stepping out for God! When you wake up in the morning start your day in the powerful and anointed confidence that was paid for by Christ’s sacrifice! Step into your happiness through faith by believing for a better day! We cannot change what is behind us, but we can pray and seek God and work for our wonderful future. Take hold of this revelation and let it work inwardly so your outward life can be changed right now!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

As you commit to attending church take advantage of the time learn to worship and enjoy your walk with God no matter what! When you pray, enjoy your prayer! Let your heart and words be humbled. Let spiritual things of the Holy Ghost begin to be poured out into your life! If you have felt like you have went through a dry season it is time to break ourselves down and break new ground! Get out of your comfort zone and let nothing hinder your obedience to God! Step out and be person that God has called you to be. Get yourself encouraged this day! Dust yourself off, today is a new day in God!