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It is a pleasure to have you visit and share with me in my discussions, blogs and Christian studies.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

The Savior: John 4:42



 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
                                                                          
The setting for today's message is Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman and a conversation ensued where Jesus told her life story and used the parable of water to equate Himself to living water. He is living water and the bread of life.
The final analysis, Jesus told the Samaritan woman that He was the Christ whom she and others were expecting. The Samaritan woman ran into town and told the people of her encounter with Jesus and they too came to meet Jesus and believed on Him and were saved.
Two schools of thought from this message and they are: (a) an encounter with the Jesus is a lifetime change for the person or people who meet Jesus. (b) Through the witnessing testimony of one person the entire town were saved after they met Jesus and believed.
There is life-saving power in witnessing Christ then, today and for generations to come. Believers are to witness Christ the world over so that the lost will have an opportunity to hear and come to Christ.
It is noteworthy to say, Christ is still saving all who come to Him in faith as He is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
Christ our Savior.
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Tuesday, December 12, 2017

The Anointed One



Matthew 16:16

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Christ being the anointed of God the Father means that He was the chosen One to be the Savior of the world. Christ was chosen because who He was and He met all of the Father's required qualifications to atone the sins of the world.
If the question was raised, what were the Father's requirements to atone the sins of the world? The person was required to be human and divine and without sin. Christ was both human and divine as He was God in the second person in the Godhead. Christ was able to keep all of God's commandments and His atoning works was a one-time event whereas the earthly priests' atonement was performed yearly. The earthly priests required that their sins be forgiven whereas Christ had no sin.
That said, God being God knew from the beginning of time what was going to occur and He had a redeemer ready and waiting until the appointed time to fulfill His mission.
It is noteworthy to say all of God's actions are a manifestation of His love, grace and mercy for humanity. Man is created in the image and likeness of God; man was created to be in fellowship with Him but sin broke that fellowship and Christ's atoning work on Calvary restored the fellowship.
What a mighty God who loved humanity to the point He gave His only begotten Son to be the sacrificial lamb.
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Friday, December 8, 2017

The Prophesied Christ



 Isaiah 7:14



Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

In the Old Testament the Lord God used prophets to foretell of events to come; the prediction of the coming birth of the Savior was no exception. The prophet Isaiah made this starling prediction of the coming Savior that His birth would be of a virgin. Isaiah provided the name of the Christ child-Immanuel which means God with us.
For Christ to fulfill His mission of providing salvation to all who believe He had to be human and divine; therefore, the Virgin Mary was His earthly mother and God the Holy Spirit as His father. It is in Christ that humanity and divinity met.
It is noteworthy to say, Isaiah's prophecy was prophesied just as God instructed him because in God's own time this prophecy would be fulfilled and in order for God's plan to be accomplished the prophecy would have to be fulfilled.
It is too noteworthy to say that many during this era were patiently looking forward to the promised Messiah. Let us be mindful of whom God is and everything He does is timely and right.
Christ being the perfect Lamb of God was slain from the foundation of the world and God the Father knew He would have to sacrifice His only begotten Son to redeem man from sin.
The prophesied Christ came one Christmas morning fulfilling the prophecy.
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Tuesday, December 5, 2017

God's Protection



Psalm 91:1-4


He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

In the midst of this chaotic society we are left to wonder will there ever peace and a safe place to reside and raise our children. The news media can leave a person with anxiety that can lead to mental and physical stress and ailments. Be encouraged because God is in control and in His time will restore peace and calm to our society.
Let us look to God for peace that society cannot give neither can it understand the peace of heart that is demonstrated by His people. This is because believers are abiding in the safety of the Almighty God as we are hid under His mighty wings.
Let me further encourage all to take heart because the chaos that is being demonstrated in the media will be short-lived; the lies, bigotry, hate and fear mongering is of Satan and his days are numbered. His job is to confuse the minds of God's people; truth and right will prevail all the time.
Take heart, because what is right, just and good will prevail.


 

Friday, November 10, 2017

Weapons Of Evil: Isaiah 54:17


No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

 
This earthly life is filled with evil as Satan and his minions try to impede believers' walk with Christ. That said,  believers will be assaulted by his evil weapons, but take heart that no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper and every tongue that speak evil against you shalt be condemned. This is because God is our protector as believers abide in the secret tabernacle of the Almighty God because He is our refuge, our protector, our God and the rock of our salvation.

God being our protector, believers are covered under His mighty wings as truth shall be our buckler (Psalm 91:1-4).

Believers as we face troubles in this life give them to Jesus; focus on Him instead of our problems. He asks us to cast all our cares upon Him and He will take care of them (1 Peter 5:7) take Him at His word. Jesus is faithful to His promise; He will bear all our burdens; give them to Him. He is our comforter in the time of weariness. He will never leave nor forsake us; trust Him and never doubt.

Let me encourage all, let us keep our eyes focused on Jesus and He will resolve the problem because He is bigger than our problems.

All evil and unrighteousness will be brought to naught in God's time. He will give us the strength to endure.
 
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Thursday, November 2, 2017

Call On God



Psalm 102:2


Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me; in the day when I call answer me speedily.

This entire number of Psalm is a prayer when one is overwhelmed with troubles; this question come to mind, who do you call when trouble rises? Do you call on family, friends or do you call on Jesus? I strongly recommend Jesus, because He is a problem solver, a burden barrier, and a heavy load sharer; beside He is God. Jesus bore our sins on the cross at Calvary and is more than able to solve our problems.
When you call on God in prayer expect an answer. He will answer and is always on time. God's time and our time are different. While waiting on God do not get discouraged, because He is present with us every step of the way. God is faithful to His promise of never to leave nor forsake His own. Trust Him to see you through.
Comments are welcomed.

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Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Be Still


Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

 In light of the turmoil in today's society can cause anxiety, but all me to encourage all to be still and know God is in control. Nothing happens or takes God by surprise. In His own time He will bring all this upheaval to naught.

 Comments are welcomed.

Friday, October 13, 2017

Being Kept By God


Psalm 55:22

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

 

What does it mean to be kept by God? We will address the question from three perspectives, and they are:

(a) Preservation through His powers as He preserves all that was created. This is accomplished through His Son Jesus Christ as recorded in Colossians 1:16-17, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Christ is before all things, and by him all things consists.” These two verses clearly explains who holds everything in place, the planets in their orbits, the moon and stars in their places and even the smallest particles of life are held together by Christ.

(b) His provisions in that God provides for the needs of all life that was created by Him. Reflect with me on the plants and animals how they are cared for; are humans better than they? Philippians 4:19, which states, “But my God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches and glory.”

(c) His involvement in government we see God ruling this world through His sovereign powers. He allows the events that have occurred in our history and those that are occurring in the present are under His permissive will and oversight and at His appointed time He intervenes to bring about His redemptive purposes in our lives.

There is surety in being kept by God.

 

 

Thursday, October 12, 2017

God Speaks



Job 33:14; Hebrews 1:1-2




If the question was raised, does God speak? Today's scriptures answer the question with a resounding yes He does speak.  Hebrews 1:1 makes it plan that yes God speak and have been speaking to humanity through various methods and in different times. Job 33:14 tells us that God have spoken to us not once but twice but humanity is failing to listen.
This remains true today; this is evidence through the many natural disasters that has and is occurring in the Unites States alone. Let me encourage all to hear the voice of the Lord, because He is speaking. I make this plea because of the widespread hatred, anger and vitriol that is being spewed for no apparent reason other than hate. This country needs a spiritual healing (2 Chronicles 7:14); love will override hate.
Be encouraged because we who know the Lord are His sheep who knows His voice and will follow Him (John 1027-28).
God is speaking; hear His voice and adhere to His message; turn back to Him and make Him first in our lives.
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Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Be Vigilant



1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Peter is encouraging all believers both then and now to be wise and aware of our adversary the devil as he is constantly seeking to impede the believer's faith journey as believers have committed him or herself to doing the will of God.

How must believers be vigilant of our adversary? This is achieved by first refusing to believe his lies as he is a masterful strategist and is very clever in laying straps.  Reflect on how he deceived Eve into eating the forbidden fruit; he is still at work in the world today. Second, believers are to be watchful by studying God's Word and living according to His Word. Third, believers must rely on the Holy Spirit in our efforts to refrain from falling prey to Satan. Fourth, believers must remain fully dressed in God's body armour as God knew that Satan would make every effort to destroy believers (Ephesians 6:11-18). Therefore, believers are to take the fight to Satan through prayer and God's Word-the Bible.

1 John 4:4 states, "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world;" therefore, use your resources and remain watchful of your surroundings, because Satan is on the prowl. He wants to destroy you. Believers, we have victory; Christ won the victory.
Watch as well as pray.

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Friday, September 29, 2017

God's Protection



Isaiah 54:17

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD.

The setting for today's message is Jerusalem where the Lord God is providing comfort for His people. This comforting message applies to believers today and for generations to come. What better comfort and protection than that of the Lord's? Only God can provide true protection.
Believers, be encouraged, because the Lord said "no weapon that is formed against you (thee) shall prosper", which means they would fail in their efforts. Believers, sometimes situations shake us to our core; take refuge in God's awesome powers and protective care.
What a mighty God we serve?

Comments are welcomed.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Our Supreme Helper



Psalm 121: 1-6

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from which cometh my help. My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

When trouble covers you like a blanket and there appears to be no way out, remember the Lord our God is a present help in the time of trouble for He knows the way. The Lord is the supplier of all our needs as stated in Philippians 4:19 and Psalm 18:2 shows who the Lord is in the time of trouble by stating, "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

There is no other God like the God of all creation that you can call anytime day of night and get an answer. Therefore, call on God He is our supreme helper.

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Friday, September 22, 2017

The Healing of a Nation



2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive  their sin, and will heal their land.

Over the course of this year I have written about a healing of this nation, prayed about it; my pastor have preached about it and other prayer warriors have also prayed for a healing of this nation.
This prayer has been made because many of us see the need for a spiritual healing of this nation because we see the level of hatred, bigotry and down right evil that is being displayed. This does not represent the majority of us Americans who shows compassion, love and care for one another as commanded in 1 John 4:1. 
The recent disasters painted a clear picture of who we really are as caring and loving people; where there was a need we stepped up to provide that need. As love, compassion and giving a helping hand continues to be displayed; then evil will have to flee. Why, because love over shadowed hate; then too by our actions we will have shown that hate has no place here.

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Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Trusting God At All Times



Psalm 37:1-10


Give all your troubles to the Lord and leave them there. When evil is all around continue trusting and waiting on the Lord, because in God's own time will reverse the evil that is being done as stated in verse 10, "for evildoers will be cut off; but those that wait on the Lord shall inherit the earth."

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Thursday, September 7, 2017

The Wrath Of God



Romans 1:18

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Witnessing the latest devastations that are occurring in our nation; fires burning out of control on the west cost and hurricanes causing flooding in some of the southern states begs the question, is God's anger on display? These devastations appear to be getting worse each year and many will say these devastations are the results of climate change. Yes I will tend to agree, but God is in control of every situation.  Man hasn't been a good steward of managing God's creation. He gave humanity the responsibility of caring for His creations.
He does get angry and punishes sin just as He did during the days of Noah. He promised never to destroy the earth with water again and put a rainbow in the sky as a reminder of His covenant promise. This country is poisoned with sin and God is not pleased. He is trying to get man's attention through the many natural disasters. Many are refusing to take heed while others are heeding God's warning while knowing that God is not pleased with the sinful conditions that exist today.
These questions come to mind, how severe must God's wrath become before man to take notice and change his ways? Does He have to rain down fire from the sky or bring  forth fire from under the earth? Tell me what.
God is speaking; can you hear Him?

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Tuesday, August 29, 2017

He Mortifies The Deeds Of The body



Romans 8:13

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

What is our scripture verse saying? Paul is explaining to the Roman believers how they must live to have life after this earthly tabernacle is over. Therefore, to have life after death, then all believers must put to death our fleshly lives and live in the Spirit of Christ. To accomplish this task believer must surrender our lives to the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is God who resides in every believer.
This question comes to mind, why is it important for believers to constantly mortify the deeds of the body? It is because believers are constantly bombarded by Satan's attacks in his efforts to destroy our relationship with God. Therefore, believers must constantly surrender to the Holy Spirit who enables us to deflect all fiery darts of wickedness and continue walking by faith in the Lord.
There is a constant battle between good and evil; the flesh and the spirit; therefore, to live in the Spirit we must put to death the flesh, because the flesh wants to please the eye.
To cherish our new birth we must be led by the Spirit of God (v.14).
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Friday, August 25, 2017

Standing On God's Truth



John 17:17

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Why is it so important for believers to stand firm on God's truth? This because God's truth is what all humanity will be judged because He is sovereign and knows the truth. Scripture tells us that Christ is the way, the truth and the light (John 14:6); scripture also lets us know that the truth will make you free (John 8:32).
Standing firm on the truth, then the person is free of worries of what to say next when the conversation arise. As stated in our text that the truth of God's Word sanctifies all who believes and stand on the truth. The term sanctify is to set apart and or consecrate which is to make holy, which is what God is and so is all believers.
Believers are sanctified because they have been brought out of the darkness of sin into the light of righteousness. This was done through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, all believers have a blood bought right to enter into the holiness of God's presence.
Being sanctified in Christ, believers have committed themselves to truth and righteousness while knowing that the truth of God's word is what will last through the end of time as it has from the beginning.
Let me encourage all to stand firm on the truth of God's word even if you have to stand alone; just stand God is with you.
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Tuesday, August 22, 2017

The Awesome Power Of God



Luke 21:25-26

And there shall be sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

The total solar eclipse that occurred yesterday and was visible over most of the United States it created such a stir that many traveled far distances just to see this phenomenal which was an awesome display of God's sovereign powers. The last total solar eclipse occurred February 26, 1979; it was the last such event that was seen in the United States in the 20th century and was visible from the Pacific Northwest through northern Canada. The total eclipse began at sunrise in the North Pacific, with the totality sweeping through Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, as well as most of central Canada and Greenland. The 1979 eclipse lasted just over two minutes. (2017 Farmers Almanac). Our next eclipse is scheduled to appear in 2024.
What do these eclipses mean to man? To me it means that God is displaying His awesome powers as the sun and moon obey His command just as they did during His Son's crucifixion. What if God had commanded the sun and the moon to remain in an eclipse state for a longer period of time; say for a day? This would have gotten man's attention; stand and take notice of God awesome power and reverence Him for who He is-the sovereign God the creator of all creations.
The earth is filled with violence and hate; God is angry and is showing His displeasure with humanity in many ways. He is sending floods, storms and raging fires, but man doesn't appear to be getting the message; a much longer eclipse would certainly have gotten our attention.
Allow me to encourage all to take notice to God's warning signs, because His return is certain. Are you ready?
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Friday, August 18, 2017

Hate



Proverbs 6:16-19

These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief;  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.


In light of all the hate that is being spewed I felt the need to talk about it and see what scripture has to say. From our text we see that God does not condone hate, but instead condemn hate. Our scripture texts make it very plain hatefulness is an abomination to God. We have seen all of the above forms of hate that have been played out in our country and it has no place in our society.
The question now becomes, what do we as law abiding, God fearing good-hearted and caring citizens do to combat hate? We are to condemn hate and the initiators of the hateful acts and stand up for what is right because we are all of God's creation and are linked through His Spirit as we all breathe the same air. Do we hate the person, no we do not. I know it is a fine line between the act and the actor, but it can and must be done.
I have lived through the hateful acts during the 60's and was told about the racial hate that occurred before I was born, but we as a nation we have achieved so much together and will again as we tell hate "you have no win" because: (a) we are stronger together; unified in peace and love as there is strength in numbers, and (b) love is far greater than hate.
We overcame other turbulence and we will overcome these.
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Thursday, August 10, 2017

The Fiery Trials Of Life Produces True Faith



1 Peter 1:7; 4:12

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Today's message reminds us that in this life we will face trails and they are to produce true faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
If the question was raised, are the trials we face necessary? Yes they are in that they are purging us of our sins that can and will cause believers to carry unnecessary weight while running this Christian race.
It is noteworthy to say, unless we have been tried in the fire of life, then we as believers lack the knowledge of how strong our faith is neither is there a testimony of how the Lord brought you through the fire.
The fiery trials of life give believers additional reasons to praise God for His goodness, grace and mercy. This is because it is the Lord who brings us through these trials, and with each trial if purifying us so that at the end of life's journey we will come forth as pure gold.
The fiery trials of life are looked upon as the hand of God shaping us into that smooth pottery of clay. He is the potter and we are the clay.
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Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Our Protector



Psalm 91:1-16

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High God shall abide under shadow of the Almighty God. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver me from the snares from the noisome pestilence.

If we were to sub title today's message it could be God our Security Blanket, because this entire Psalm describes God providing protection for His people.
Given the kind of protection God provides, believers can walk boldly proclaiming the message of Christ even in the midst of a hostile environment. Verses two through four supports the above statement by stating that God is our refuge, our fortress and He covers us under His mighty wings as His truth shall be our shield and buckler. With that in mind, believers are assured of His deliverance.
It is worth noting that even when surrounded with sin and all manner of wickedness, and we are, we are to have complete confidence and trust in the Lord as there is no failure in Him. Why? Because God promised never to leave nor forsake His own and all promises are kept. Reflect on Daniel in the Lion's den and Daniel using the lion as a pillar-complete trust in God. There are other notables in the Bible where God's protection was on display. All believers can testify of God's protection on his/her lives.
God the Holy Spirit is our protector.
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Tuesday, August 1, 2017

The Holy Spirit Frees Believers From Sin




For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Our scripture texts explain how the law of the Spirit frees all believers from the law of sin because the law of the Spirit forgives sin whereas the law of sin could not. Forgiveness is in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for the sins of the world. His death restored the broken relationship between man and God the Father that sin caused and the result of this separation man was destined for to spend eternity in hell.
It is worth noting that the law of the Spirit of life is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers as we have yield control of our lives to Him.
That said, with the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers have the power to live in holiness to God and His righteousness. Believers are no longer slaves to sin and its demonic powers, but are now freed to a life of righteousness and holy living.
Life in the Spirit means that we live and walk in the Spirit.

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