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The Everyday Word

Remember, It’s Not Just You Out There

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I am so thankful to be serving a God whose presence wants to dwell within us. Words sometimes cannot begin to find what I need to say to express how grateful that I am that I have the comfort of the spirit to continue to lead me on.

One of the most important functions of the Holy Ghost (spirit) is that it is a teacher for you. The presence of God will not only teach you to stray from the things that would lead you out into sin in a greater way but also help you other aspects of your life as well!

I remember being in college and how I had such a hard time with a couple of particular classes that year. As I began to seek the Lord more for understanding, God provided in the simplest of ways and far beyond what I expected. You see, I didn’t have the patience or drive to try and learn anything so I would give up too quick. God gave me peace and patience to help me endure, and “D’s'” became “B’s”!

Remember: when you are in the middle of life, you are not alone! The spirit of God is there to help you and remind you that it’s not just you out there!

In Anticipation With Desperation, There Is Still God

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One of the main parts (as we will call it) that is an essential on a walk with God to keep it stable is faith. It’s the balance in the midst of panic that keeps the boat from rocking and turning over. It’s the self-control that keeps us from opening our mouth up to all of your loved ones to complain about how it “might not” happen. And most importantly, if used and applied in our lives daily it can be the part of us that moves mountains while we’re still here.

Trust me, I want to be spirit led but faith driven! In the midst of it all today, keep your eyes on God and your head up. Don’t let anyone or anything steal your joy that you have in Him. Nothing can compare to the level of peace you obtain when you sit on a solid foundation.

If there is no other lesson that I have learned in my life right now more than ever, it is: when you are right in the middle of everything you are going through in the midst of your tests of great expectation and you lose all of your support systems you were comfortable with, there is still God! When you are desperate to make a difference and you feel like you cannot after so long, God will move on your behalf to make a way for you! You will begin to feel that revival in your heart even when no one else does! You’ll feel the spirit of God encourage you and remind you that you’re alive!

In anticipation with desperation, there is still God!

Getting Past All The Humps, Bumps, Hurts And Stumps

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Today I would like to address the one thing that seems like everyone has happen to them but will never talk about in a positive way: being hurt by someone else.

When I am in the altar working through the altar service, one of the few things that I actually hear there is that “I am hurting” or “someone hurt me and I need help”. Used to I would like to fancy my mind in being persuaded that people just did these sorts of things in private to work past them. Now? I realize exactly where the dumping grounds are: pretty much anyone other than God.

If someone has bothered us, offended us, or even hurt us and we do not take it to God (as God has sent word for us to do), we’ll naturally do something with the hurt. In the temporary short run we’ll verbalize the hurt to others to get a little bit of instant gratification (when it doesn’t help at all), all the while increasing the amount of hurt that someone has done upon others as well. As we keep holding on to bad feelings in the long run emotions eventually turn to actions, leading us to say or do things we would have never done had we got past it in the beginning.

Please let these words jump out and get into your heart. It’s very common to be easily offended because there is many offensive things in the world. You don’t have to stay that way though! Learn to put the practice of forgiveness into your life and find compassion for those that (when you see past the mistakes) truly need God.

The more love of God you have in your heart, the more Christ-like you can be, as it allows you to forgive anything as you pray for release from the bondage of hurt and love for the mercy of others! Always remember, one of the most powerful parts about being a witness isn’t how you start, it’s how you finish.

Kindling The Love To Obey God

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Just like when we find it hard to find time to do everything on our list, it is especially difficult for anyone that will openly admit that keeping the desire to obey God on the top of the charts is easy.

There are people that are on different ends of the spectrum on their passion with obedience. I have seen people that their passion is on fire and the power of God comes upon them at the very mention of Jesus. They not only want to do all they can but they encourage others to do also. It is this kind of influence that inspires me to attempt to keep my desire for God at a constant and not waiver so that the example that we lead by is one that draws others to Christ.

I have also seen others that while they are actively obedient that the passion has left the works for God. There are many great things happening, and while that is wonderful to see all the fruits of the labor the desire and joy behind it not only does not demonstrate a good spiritual witness but eventually will lead into a falling away.

Trust me, I am sure that there will be many more things for all of us to do in the future, but let me remind you of a few key things to keep in your mind and heart. It’S short and sweet:

Love God, remember your blessings, and always remember to take time to show compassion for those around you! God will always provide you the means to be happy and enjoy an obedient lifestyle!

What Do You Give In Return?

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I love to give when I have the ability to. It is very rewarding to be able to return the love that God has provided to you. It could be a multitude of things that you could be providing, but when you deliver something that God gives you in love it will never fail! There are so many times when we neglect to show the love that is demonstrated towards us, but we must remember to do in kind as God does for us. This is not necessarily a “do unto others because you have to” ideal but simply a “follow the love in your heart and give in obedience as God leads you” principle.

Just when we think that we have given our last message to preach or song to sing, God always provides the next sentence or verse to come forth for someone else. It never ceases to amaze me about that. Sometimes I will pour out every last word and bit of strength that I have, and just when I think I am finished: there is so much further to go.

Let’s talk about an example. As we all know, money is a sensitive issue for many, ESPECIALLY when it comes to giving. I am no ones judge by any means; for what God has given you is yours to give. I cannot help but feel like that if we would begin to put into practice more Godly demonstrations with managing our budgets and dollars down to the last penny that we would begin to see a better return on our investment. We selfishly do for ourselves all the time and pay no mind to the needs of others, and yet, wonder why things are so terrible all around us? People could use the pennies in your jar, or have we persuaded ourselves otherwise? The world would have us to believe that we would not make a difference likewise about being a servant of Christ in the present day!

Ultimately when we begin to better manage our lives in how we work for God and use it for His glory, we will begin to reap from the benefits of the blessings from above. There is not a doubt in my mind about it! There has not been a time that I have stepped out for God that God has not made a way for the ministry (for each and every one of us a part of it). And the more we do, the more we grow. It’s a developing pattern that begins with your life’s’ commitment and followed by walking in open practice of the love of God through giving what God has given you: love, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost!

For all the great things we receive I leave with you this question: What do you give in return?

I Love God So Much I….

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Here is a few small key points that I just want to leave with you today. I hope that one of these points is just for you.

I love God so much I:

1) look beyond the faults of others.

When you are working in a ministry, the love of God will allow you to look beyond all the things that would often bother others or even hinder them from serving the Lord. Remember to have the love of God above everything else and you will be able to forgive and remit so much that would try to pull you down. There has been times where I thought that the damage that had been done to me was irreparable. However, God has proved me wrong each and every time by pouring out His love into my heart that in the end I even find myself trying to help those that would hurt me!

2) learn to be obedient regardless of what I see.

When it comes to being consistent, there is one part that is certain: it is not going to happen if you are always looking for something to stop you. Learn to count your blessings and have a made up mind and a desire to step out for God even if you are met with adversity (and even opposition). Leadership will not always be easy, especially when you are working to lead people out of being disobedient!

3) strive to continue.

Irregardless of the here-say or drama going on all about you, you must make a conscious decision in your mind and set your heart upon God. You must continue in your calling no matter what. In the event that everyone else falls away, you must continue. I strive for the mark because I Love God. Whether I am on the road for service or at my home church I still have a desire to give God glory! When people look at me like I’m crazy for how I worship or lead others to, I get over it! You have to realize who you are doing it for! At some point you’ll know your mind is made up when you just keep on going because of your love for God in your heart!

4) cannot give up.

With the abundance of needs and all the people that we see and hear of that need help, there is but one thing to say here. We cannot stop doing the work of God in our lives! Keep the desire to work for God strong and get out there and do something great for Him. You will never regret a work that you do, and the people that you reach out to and help will definitely be blessed for it.

So how much do you love God?

The Power Of Self And Self-Sufficiency

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When it comes right down to it at the end of the day, the ultimate controller of how much that you allow yourself to step out and enjoy life is YOU. No one can walk up and steal your joy outright; it is something that is cultivated and maintained by what you produce and nurture. Your peace isn’t something you just lose all of a sudden; it is something that you can continually keep if you choose to work towards staying on top of the perspective faithfully. Emotions are something as we all know are often attempted to be altered by others, but in the end you possess the final say.

With that said, I want to remind you of the power that you have to stay in the presence of God. I remind myself each and every day of all of the blessings, big and small, that God has performed before me and that will happen ahead of me. When we learn to practice being faithful to God and being continual in our worship and praises to Him, we cannot help but feel the love of God in our lives. The love of God serves so many purposes but ultimately to cast out fear. Fear drives so many other emotions highly and often prompts actions to discourage us or even no action at all in some cases. The presence of God has such a powerful impact in our lives that without it we do not have the ability to stay self-sufficient on our own.

As the advocate was made with God through Jesus Christ, we have the ability each day to get up and brush off the dust that is trying to damper every part of our lives that we should be thriving in. If you have a ministry and are not enjoying it, be more self-sufficient in seeking God and getting a love and passion to go forward. If you need more love for others, seek God in a greater way so that compassion pours out of you to bless your enemies and to help the broken. Remember that through Christ that you can do all things and that no weapon formed against you shall prosper!

How To Stand Out Without Standing Out

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When working in the ministry of God, it’s a wonderful thing; there is nothing that could replace the joy that you get from putting in all of the effort that you do. There will be times where it is harder than others, but those are the times that you must prove to stand out and be that separated people.

As you try to be more bold and obedient in service to the Lord, always keep in mind to start everything that you do with a humble spirit. We keep a humble spirit and an attitude of love with continual fervent prayer to God. This lowers us to a place where we get out of our own problems and issues and begin to see the bigger picture. Maintaining a spirit of meekness over time (that’s the key) will begin to bring that patience that you have been longing for.

You see, you can stand out by simply allowing God to be glorified in every aspect of your life. As an example, you can begin to say something in faith rather than in defeat. As you say things in faith, you stand out by not doing what everyone else might be doing (being down, complaining). These pattern changes in your lifestyle will mold you into a new character!

Trust me, the more you do it the more you will grow. The only thing you have to begin to do is find places where God doesn’t stand out and allow it to happen! You won’t have to scream and yell and advertise with a poster on your back that you are a child of God; for people will simply know by your meek and humble spirit that there is something different about you…something that stands out from the rest!

Keeping Forward Motion In Your Ministry

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When you are attempting to maintain a full-time ministry, one of the most difficult tasks to complete is how to keep moving forward and not simply go through the motions. Just because we are called out to do a special work does not mean that you cannot make the experience exciting! As part of our ministry is singing, it is easy for me to see this when we never move forward on working on new songs to sing. Eventually all the songs we did move forward on before will grow old and as we all know the phrase all too well “there you are.” The only way for us to continually keep the singing aspect of the ministry fresh is to not only work on current songs but to dive into new creative avenues like learning new songs (or even writing one).

What about preaching and teaching? How well would Sunday school and worship service turn out if we only pursued the same 4-5 messages and teachings over and over? Not only you would be burnt out but the people receiving it also! I say these examples in humor but without proper care to what you do for the Lord in obedience we can get to this place all too quick.

If applied to every aspect of a ministry, I would advise you to not get bored but urge you to move forward. Keep up with what you have and be efficient at it. To get yourself motivated? Well, that’s where God comes in. Seek God each and every day for the strength to take a step towards adding something new or giving something a fresh perspective. People are not drawn by how flashy things are, but by the passion driven behind an effort! And when God drives our passion, we are reminded in His word that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us!

Get out there and surprise some people with something brand new today! Show them the passion that God has placed inside of your life that they be drawn by the witness and power of what He has done for you!

Stay In Shape. Walk With God Today!

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One of the toughest things for a child of God to do in the day we live in is to simply be stable. We live in such hard times that it is very easy to get in this pattern of “ups and downs”. While I know that there are going to be mountains and valleys purposed for our lives to endure, what I would like to refer to is something a little more direct.

Let’s bring it to comparison:

A person could lose 100 pounds and feel such a weight lifted off of their life. It’s easy to tell the difference on your body when you walk, sleep and function each and every day. It’s safe to also assume that this weight did not come off without some kind of effort. We know that there are “quick” solutions out there that will help drop 5 or 10 pounds here and there, but this kind of loss could only come with continual efforts driven by a person willing to work for the goal of seeing it through! If this same person stopped exercising all together and just ate anything in the world with no care for themselves, the weight would be back instantly and all the efforts would have been lost.

That’s where I’m at with what’s on my heart today. When we can learn to recognize when we are putting on too many burdens that are unnecessary, we can start laying off the weights that easily beset us through prayer each day. God is calling us to a more intimate relationship. In order to stay in great spiritual shape, efforts must be continual and the drive must stay within the heart and mind. The drive within your heart is by your own choice. We can either choose to pray off our burdens or not. We can either choose to be spiritually strong by allowing God to help us or we can eventually put all of the weight back on that we work so hard to lose!

Don’t let it all pile up! Stay in shape and walk with God today!