From all of us to all of you Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year
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.
Comments
are welcomed.
Author's
contacts:
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.
Comments are welcomed.
Author's
contacts:
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.
Comments
are welcomed.
Author's
contacts:
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.
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.
Author's contacts:
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.
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
For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. God, who
at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by
the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all
things, by whom also he made the worlds.
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.
Comments are welcomed.
Author's contacts:
white3285@sbcglobal.net
www.goodshpeherdwritingandpublishing.com
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.
Comments are welcomed.
Author's contacts:
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.
Comments are welcomed.
Author's contacts:
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.
Comments are welcomed.
Author's contacts:
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."
Comments are welcome.
Author's contacts:
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?
Comments are welcomed.
Author's contacts:
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).
We welcome your comments.
Author's contacts:
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.
Comments are welcomed.
Author's contacts:
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?
Comments are welcomed.
Author's contacts:
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.
Author's contacts:
Follow me on twitter, Facebook,
and LinkedIn.
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.
Comments are welcomed.
Author's contacts:
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.
We welcome your comments.
Author's contacts:
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.
Comments are
welcomed.
Author's
contacts:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)