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Tuesday, July 16, 2019

What makes our prayers Effective? James 5:16

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Today's message is an excerpt from my A Prayer Study Guide that is available from Amazon, Barnes& Nobles and the author by emailing me with the book title in subject line. This is a two part series; Friday's message will be, What are some hindrances that render prayers ineffective? That said; let us take a look at the answer to today message question, and the answer is as follows:

(a) Prayers are considered effective when the prayer receives an answer from God, but the prayer's faith plays a vital role to answered prayers. Prayers are effective when they offer praise and adoration to God (Psalm 150; Acts 2:47; Romans 15:11). At the heart of all prayers is a sincere heart for which the prayer is made. Yes, no and wait are answers from God.

(b) Prayers are effective; when we give them authority by asking in Jesus' name as this gives authority (John 14:13-14).

(c) Prayers are most effective when they align with the will of God and His Word. Christ provided our model that all prayers should follow. It is noteworthy to say that the believer must be living in harmony with God's will.

(d) The righteous' prayers must be persistent and in faith, which means that we are to ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-8) while waiting for God's answer as His time is not our time.

We welcome your comments:

Author's contacts are:

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www.theshepherdministries.org

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

A Call to Remember: Matthew 26:1-13

And it came to pass when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

Today's message title and scriptures are from the Sunday school Publishing board Teacher's commentary of the Townsend's Press.

The lesson text looks at events that occurred before the Passover meal, His arrest, and crucifixion. My approach to this lesson is to bring back to our remembrances the following: (a) who is Jesus and (b) His purpose for coming to earth in the form of a man.

That said Jesus is God's only Son who was slain from the foundation of the world to be the human sacrifice as required by God the Father to restore a broken fellowship between God and humanity. Jesus was found worthy to be the perfect sacrifice because He is God in the second person who could relate to humanity, God the Father and world.

Jesus' mission for coming to earth was to redeem man back to the Father through His shed blood on the cross at Calvary. It was on the cross at Calvary that Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior took our unrighteousness and gave us His righteousness. All who believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Lord and Savior receive salvation-eternal life which is our gift from God the Father. Therefore, when God the Father looks at us, He sees the righteousness of His Son Jesus Christ.

Let's eternalize the works of Christ on our behalf; He poured out His precious blood for me. He paid my sin-debt that I could not pay. My sins are forgiven, and now I have a right standing with the Father and will live forever in the presence of God.

We serve a living Savior Jesus Christ because He rose that glorious Sunday morning with all power in His hands; power to heal the sick, power to raise the dead and power to save all from sin.

What a mighty God!

We welcome your comments.

Author's contacts:

https://willie-writing.blogspot.com

Friday, November 16, 2018

Expressions of Gratitude: Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

As we approach Thanksgiving, these questions to come to mind, how will you celebrate Thanksgiving Day, will it be a day expressing heartfelt thanksgiving to God for His love, grace, and mercy? Will we recount our blessing that God has bestowed upon us from last year this time until now? Will we thank God for sustaining us and providing all our needs regardless of the trials we may encounter? Will we come into the Lord's presence with thanksgiving of praise and worship saying? Thank You, Lord, for another day and Your bountiful blessings that are too numerous to count?

However you thank God, He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praises because His goodness surrounds us and His love abounds. More importantly, when we reflect on our lives from last year's Thanksgiving to this year's we can see God's merciful hand upholding us and His all-seeing eye watching over us, and that is praiseworthy.

Whether we spend Thanksgiving Day with family, and friends or alone in solitude with our thoughts let us give God a heartfelt thank You, Lord. Therefore, let us make our expressions of gratitude to God for His unconditional love is known to the world.

We welcome your comments.

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Tuesday, September 11, 2018

God's Creative Works: Genesis 1:1-31

In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And God said; Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Over the past two Sundays, our Sunday school lessons have been taking a reflective look at the creative works of God. This Sunday we will look at God creation of man and the magnificent way in which all humanity was created.

All of God's creation was a systematic process and everything God created was good. This means God Himself put His stamp of approval on His creative works. He separated day from night; He created and set the sun, moon, and stars in place giving them their purpose and functions. All creation has a purpose and functions as God designed.

Reflecting on humanity and the complex structure that we are we stand in awe of the one and only true God. More importantly, reflecting on the creative works of God we can say what a mighty God.

We serve a God who has no beginning or end; He is Alpha and Omega. He sits high and looks low. He is the unseen hands watching over His creations.

We welcome your Comments.

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Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Love Thy Neighbor: 1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Love is an action word; I make this claim based on the actions taken by God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ our Savior. What was God's love action? The Father gave His Son and the Son gave His life to redeem man from the jaws of sin. In doing so all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be saved. God's love action is also demonstrated in that justice was demanded, but mercy took its place with Christ's atoning work on Calvary's cross.

The death believers have to die is to sin daily because Satan is constantly trying to impede our walk with Christ. Loving as God love believers have the ability to love thy neighbor because love trumps hate and all the evilness hate bring.

Another school of thought, we are commanded to love as Christ has loved us. He gave His life for us; therefore, to reciprocate that love we are to love Him and our neighbors as ourselves. Loving others as ourselves, then the world will know that we are ambassadors for Christ and are of God.

The world hates us; therefore, let's show the world more love.

Comments are welcomed.

Author's contacts:

white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Resurrection Sunday

John 11:25

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

What does Resurrection Sunday mean to you? Does it mean a day of celebration with family, friends and enjoying an Easter parade or a day at Church? The answer you provide depends on your belief that yes Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God who came to earth to die for the sins of the world. It also depends whether or not you have accepted Jesus as your Savior who died and rose as promised that Sunday Morning commonly known as Resurrection Sunday.

Resurrection Sunday also means that all who believe died with Christ to sin and rose with Him to a life of righteousness. Resurrection Sunday also means that we who are in Christ are alive with Him and will live forever with Him. Resurrection Sunday means that we serve a risen Savior who is now seated at the right hand of the Father making intercessions for you and me.

Being alive with and in Christ is that all believers are now adopted sons of God the Father as members of His holy nation of priests who have been called out of darkness and are now wearing His righteous garment of salvation.

On a personal note, Resurrection Sunday means that I am now alive in Christ and have an assured hope of an everlasting home in glory and one day I will reign with Him in the New Jerusalem. Easter/Resurrection Sunday isn't about having a new outfit or participating in or watching an Easter parade it is honoring God for the risen Savior.

Lastly, Resurrection Sunday is a day to be celebrated in reverence to God for His love, grace and mercy for sending His Son Jesus Christ to atone sin when justice was demanded; mercy took its place.

Resurrection Sunday a day of true worship and singing praises to our risen Savior.

Comments are welcomed.

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http://willie-writingandpublishing.com

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:

white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

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:

white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

God's Help

Isaiah 41:10-11

Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

Today's topical discussion focus of God's Help is another discussion deigned to give encouragement while in the midst of the storm as the result of society's values filled with hate and immorality. We sing songs of encouragement have early morning and midnight talks with God through prayer knowing that God hears and answers prayers and keeps His promises. He promised never to leave nor forsake His own. All promises made are kept and keeping this promise is no exception because we serve a God who changes not. God being true to His word is praiseworthy and gives us the confidence we need to trust Him.

Our scripture texts also give us the assurances we need to trust God in every situation because when He says I am with thee believe Him. When He says I will destroy your enemies, again believe Him. When God says He will uphold you with His hand of righteousness, believe Him. It is His righteousness that all other righteousness is measured; there is no righteousness except the righteousness of God.

Philippians 4:19 support today's texts of providing for all our need; take God at His word. Reflect on God's history of being faithful to His word; you will find no failure in Him. He made a highway in the Red Sea for the Israelites; He fed them with manna from heaven, and water from a rock. He won many battles then and now.

God our helper is near.

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Saturday, June 24, 2017

Dressed For Battle

Ephesians 6:11-18

Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

These are powerful scriptures in that they give a clear picture of the powerful forces believers are fighting against. Evilness begins in the spirit realm and then manifests themselves in the natural.

Therefore, God being love and made provisions for man would leave us defenseless in a sinful world. God knew that man is powerless against sin; therefore, He dressed believers in the necessary battle armour to be successful in this spiritual warfare. Take note of the weaponry, and they are: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation all are defensive except one, which is the sword of the Spirit-the Bible. We are encouraged to pray always because prayer is our close communication with God and when Satan sees believers praying he knows there is a close connection between the believer and God.

Let me encourage all to wear your body armour proudly because it is of God with victory written all over it, and then commence to wheel your sword, take the fight to Satan and his army even in high places.

We are victorious warrior because Christ defeated Satan at the cross of Calvary and now we can sing Victory is mine; I told Satan get thee behind me; because victory is mine.

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Friday, June 2, 2017

A Daily Walk With God Through Prayer

Nehemiah 1:1-12

And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven. And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His commandments.

In light of the sinful conditions this world is in I felt the need to remind all that we stand tallest on our knees. This is our daily walk with God through prayer as He hears and answer. We know that When God's people pray and or come together in prayer God hears and answer. That being said, we need a spiritual revival because of the sinful conditions facing our world. We are witnessing all manner of wickedness worldwide. The church is being persecuted in foreign countries to the point that many are being murdered for worshiping Christ and many are being imprisoned for the same reason. In this country, it appears as if God's people are being overtaken by sin and there seems to be no stopping it, but be encouraged sin and Satan is a defeated foe.

These conditions bring into focus 2 Chronicles 7:14, which states, if my people, which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

All this week there has been a national call for prayer and as we come together in prayer as well as praying individually God hears and answers. Prayer has been and continues to be an integral part of believers lives the world over. Prayers of the righteous availeth much (James 5:16).

Keep praying, keep believing, because God is moving and it is being witnessed through nature. A healing is on the way.

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Friday, February 3, 2017

The Power Of God’s Word

Psalm 119:89, 105

For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Today's focus discussion is the Power of God's Word with supporting scriptures which supports this proclamation and they are: Isaiah 40:8 and 1 Peter 1; 24-25. God’s Word is dynamic and powerful and it accomplishes great things (Isaiah 55:11).

Let's outlined some evidence as it relate to the powerfulness of God’s Word:

A. God’s Word is creative. We understand that by His spoken Word all things came into existence. Psalm 33:6 states the by “the Word of the Lord were the heavens made.”

B. God’s Word has the power to sustain all creations. Hebrews 1:3 states, “God sustains all things by the word of his power.”

C. God’s Word has the power to impart new life. 1 Peter 1:23 states “by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” John 1:4 refers to Jesus as “the Word of life.”

D. God’s Word releases His grace, power, and revelation by which believers grow in their faith and their commitment to Jesus Christ.

E. God’s Word is the sword (Ephesians 6:17) by which all believers use to fight Satan. Jesus spoke these words “it is written” to fight Satan during His temptation in the wilderness.

F. It is God’s Word that will judge all mankind regardless of whether we chose to accept or reject His Word-we will be judged!

We welcome your comments.

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White3285@sbcglobal.net

Friday, December 16, 2016

Christ is Christmas

Monday, February 29, 2016

Believers Have God's Seal

Revelation 7:2

And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God; and He cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea.

Our scripture text setting is John on the isle of Patmos where he was shown what would happen during the tribulation. All believers during this time was given the seal of God. This was His identifying mark so during these turbulent times they would be spared God's wrath.

A seal is an identifying mark used to show ownership. Cattle farmers use identifying brands to mark their cattle which lets other farmers know who the cattle belongs. This is true with God. Believers' seal is invisible to us with the naked eye but is visible to Satan, the angels and God Himself.

Having the seal of God during the tribulation will become a life saving mark as all believers will have their faith thoroughly tested, but all who remain faithful to God will be greatly rewarded. Remaining faithful unto God applies to believers of all generations as it does today. This is because Satan is busy trying to destroy our faith in the Lord with his attacks on the truth of God's Word, His moral values and commandments.

What must believers do? Believers must stand firm on the truth of God's Word while remaining faithful to Him and His ways. Believers have a helper to aid in our efforts.

Believers, we belong to God. His seal proves that we do.

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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

The Apple Of God's Eye

Psalm 17:8

Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

King David is expressing God's love for His people by using figurative language such as man being the apple of God's eye and all believers being protected by God under His mighty wings.

All humanity is special to God in that man was created in the image and likeness of God. God breathe the breath of life into man and he became a living soul. Man is three persons in one just as the Godhead. Man has a spirit which connects to God's Spirit; he has a soul and a physical body which house the inner man.

Given the order in which man was created stands to reason humanity is the apple of God's eye and especially believers, because believers have accepted God's spiritual invitation of salvation.

Psalm 91:4 speaks of God's special protection on all believers so does the entire Psalm that speaks to God's love and care for His people.

There is no greater blessing than for all believers to be the apple of God's eye while knowing that He is our protector, deliverer, refuge, high tower and the God of our salvation (Psalm 18:2).

Dear Lord, I am thankful that I am special to You and for that I will forever love and praise You. In Jesus name Amen.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Love Conquers All

Romans 8:37

..In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

The Apostle Paul is encouraging all that as followers of Christ we will be persecuted because of our affiliations with Him. All believers must know that Christ conquered all on Calvary's cross. Christ's sacrificial death on the cross was undergirded by love. All who are in Christ have the love of Christ and is more than conquerors, which is through Christ Jesus.

It is worth noting that as believers travel this Christian journey we will be persecuted by Satan and his followers, but he is a defeated foe and can do us no harm without God's permission.

Verses 35-36 lists some of the adversities that believers will experience, which bring into focus our scripture text which gives all believer the assurances that is needed to stand firm in this spiritual warfare. God battle armor ensures our victory (Ephesians 6:11-17). Wear it well.

The many adversities that were being experienced by believers in Paul's day are present in today's society and it appears as if Satan has turned up the volume with his attacks. Keep in mind who we are and to whom we belong.

That said, Christ have never lost a battle and never will. If Christ had planned to loose this spiritual warfare, then His death would have been in vain. His love conquered death and the grave.

Love that conquerors all is powerful.

Comments are welcomed

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white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

Friday, February 12, 2016

Being Spirit-filled

Exodus 31:3

...I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.

Today's focus discussion is believers being Spirit-filled to accomplish the mission given by Christ. The question now becomes what does it means to be filled with God's Spirit? It means to be spiritually equipped for special service that God has called us to perform in His mission field. We know that God gives spiritual gifts according to His good pleasure and some of the gifts are teaching, healing, speaking in tongues, the gift of ministering, and the spirit of discernment. Each gift is given to edify the body of Christ as each operates in the unity of the Spirit because there is one body and one Lord (Ephesians 4:3-4).

Being spirit-filled is the result of being baptized in the Spirit by Christ Himself. This comes after the believer accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Believers maintain their spirit-filled lifestyles by being loyal the truth of God's Word and obeying it in totality. Being spirit-filled believers manifest the holiness of Christ as all believers are members of God's holy nation of priests. Spirit-filled believers are set apart from this world and look peculiar to the world. This is because believers see things from God perspective and have committed themselves live according to God's standards and His holy Word.

Faith causes all believers to live a spirit-filled life.

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Tuesday, February 9, 2016

All Knitted Together In Love

Colossians 2:2

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father, and of Christ;

Paul is addressing the believers in the Colossian church which was in Colosse expressing to then how they are knitted together in love and all are linked through God's Spirit. The true church resides in the hearts of all believers which is ruled by the Spirit of God-the Holy Spirit. All believers assemble themselves together in the local church to worship and praise God in love. We are to praise Him for who He is and what He has done and continues to do in the lives of mankind and especially believers.

There should be no dissension among God's people just as there is no dissension in the Godhead as each member of the Godhead operates coequally in the lives of mankind. The Godhead operates in love and unity; therefore, Christians are encouraged to do likewise.

Christ is the head of the church and in the lives of all believers, which makes all believers knitted together in love. Therefore, comfort your hearts and let love rule, because Christ's love conquered all.

Isn't love a wonderful thing? It provided salvation when nothing else could. Love! Love and then love some more.

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Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Daily Spiritual Fitness Routine

Ephesians 6:18; Psalm 5:3

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

What is believers' spiritual fitness routine? It is believers' daily routine of communing with God, which is spending some quite time with the Lord. This is believers' beginning and ending his or her day in prayer. The Lord God loves hearing and communing with His people. There is nothing like a daily morning prayer with the Lord (Psalm 5:3). Communing with the Lord sets the tone for the believer's day because Satan is waiting trying to disrupt the good each day brings.

Daily Bible reading and meditating on God's Word is another part of believers' fitness program. Daily Bible reading reaffirms the truth of God's Word in our hearts and minds giving all believers the power to remain steadfast in the truth of His word and withstand Satan's attacks.

Believers, we are in a spiritual battle and without being spiritually fit to win this war we may become a fallen soldier. God dressed us in His body amour (Ephesians 6:11-18), because He knew the many battles we would encounter, but take heart His Spirit lives inside and with God's Word firmly planted in our hearts victory is our. Christ assured this victory on Calvary's cross. We still have to be physically and mentally prepared. Physically readiness is taking care of our earthly house/bodies through proper nourishment and rest. This is because our bodies are the temple of God and our inner man connects with God's Spirit-the Holy Spirit. Being mentally prepared is as stated earlier daily prayers, Bible reading and meditations, and then yielding control to the residing Holy Spirit. He will shepherd us through the day.

Being spiritually fit is being Christ-centered and focused. In doing so, the world cannot harm us; it will try, but we are more than conquerors through Christ.

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