YESTERDAY, I started reading my devotional. As I began to read, I noticed that the topic was forgiveness. Immediately, I decided that I didn’t need to hear another message about forgiveness, because there wasn't anyone that I needed to forgive. This same day, I needed to mow my front lawn. So, I downloaded the latest sermons of some of my favorite ministers to my IPod. I assumed this would be a good substitute. As usual, the messages were motivating, inspiring, and Christ centered.
TODAY, I woke up beginning my morning ritual of email checking and coffee drinking. During this time, I noticed that there were still old basketball pictures lying on my desk, which I had scanned to add to my Facebook page for fun. This sparked me to check my alma mater’s media guide. Earlier in the month, I had told my wife and oldest son that I had broken the school’s top 10 in two categories for a single season and career records. After the completion of my senior season, I was given a document created by the university’s media relations department indicating single season and career stats. As I looked through the media guide stats, I saw familiar names. However, my name was no where to be found for the stats in which I should have been recognized (according to university’s media relations document). Immediately, I was offended and took it personal.
My college basketball playing years were complex. At times, it was absolutely awesome in all ways; while at other times, it was miserable. My head coaches and I never saw ‘eye to eye’. As mentioned in past blogs, I always challenged authority. My senior season was no different. Although, I was a team captain and starter; I did not hold back on sharing my dislikes for my head coach. Needless to say, he was not a player’s coach. Some of my concerns and comments were legitimate, but not necessary. This boldness caused a major conflict. By the end of the season, he openly confessed in front of the team that he knew that I did not like him and that the feeling was mutual. I could go on with different scenarios, but I feel the point has been made. He did not like me and I did not like him.
My relationship with my coach disturbed me for awhile. I can remember praying about disappointment in authority relationships; asking God to help me forgive and to be forgiven for my insubordination. During this prayer, my coach was mentioned. I thought this was final. However, when my name was not recognized for hard-earned records; I immediately became emotionally hostile exclaiming to my wife, that he possibly singled me out. All the memories resurfaced along with the past emotions. My patient and understanding wife reassured and encouraged me that it was possibly overlooked. After I told her several stories about this coach with hopes that she would see things my way, she asked me if I had read my devotional today. I hadn’t.
After I calmed down, I opened my devotional. The devotional is day specific with month and date. I searched for August 21st. I began reading it, but wasn’t quite sure why my wife thought ‘being light in a dark world’ had anything to do with our conversation. I quickly glanced to August 20th, which was the adjoining page and figured it out. My wife was a day behind in her devotionals. Today, she read about forgiveness. This was the same devotion, which I neglected the day before due to my ego. The lesson I learned from this situation is apparently simple. Always read my devotional, no matter what the subject or where I (believe I) stand in my relationship with God.
Proverbs 16:18 states ‘Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall’ (English Standard Version: ESV). Man, oh man, did I fall! Thankfully, I heeded the encouragement to seek the Lord, which helped realign my actions and thoughts. God is so faithful and continues to provide substance. The Spirit-led Bible study written years ago was exactly what I needed to sustain me for the upcoming day. However, I chose not to partake in what God had provided. There are so many promises in the Word of God to help us in today’s times. The error in our ways are many. From believing that the Bible is irrelevant (not literal), old-fashioned/conservative to too simple leads to a path of devastation. God’s word is relevant in every form. There is no subject matter that He has failed to cover. Parenting, marriage, career, forgiveness, friendships, etc. can all still thrive in today’s world, if you follow His guidance. Not only one area will you prevail, but all.
There are plenty of worldly examples of success in single areas of life (such as financial accumulation), but not all areas. Many celebrities excel in developing riches and material wealth. As rich as they may be, most fail in other vital areas. Without accepting God’s provided substance for life, they will fall short. No one is excluded from this principle. Celebrities are simply the easy target. Jesus Christ said it best, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4-ESV). Knowing, believing, and following only a few scriptures will give few successes. Knowing, believing, and following all scripture will give you overall success in every area of life.
If you find yourself failing in an area of life, pick up a Bible and seek instruction. God will help you overcome. Take it from me; it’s best to be prepared for Satan's attacks. He’s crafty and recognizes your vulnerable areas. Do not ever let down your guard with arrogance, as I did. If so, you will be defeated. Remain in prayer, be on guard, and consistently rely on God’s word. In doing this, you will succeed.
Stay encouraged!
Accepting Jesus Christ is the first step to having a relationship with God. Chose God’s plan for your salvation.
If you desire to have a personal relationship with God by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please click on the link below.
http://www.cbn.com/stepstopeace/index.aspx
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
No complaints
“That’s some good ole’ keep your mouth shut!” Kenneth Copeland
When I first heard this, I started laughing hysterically almost wrecking my car. Kenneth Copeland is one of my favorite Christian ministers to hear. He’s hilarious, brutally honest, old-school, and faith-filled. I view his preaching style as a grandfather speaking to his grandchildren. To say the least, I thoroughly enjoy his personality and scriptural deliverance. On this particular day, he was speaking on maintaining your faith in God’s promises. His direct encouragement was watching your talk; being sure that you were not speaking the opposite of The Blessing. To be truthful, I can’t remember the exact scripture that he referenced before speaking the aforementioned quote. However, that quote stuck with me.
I have always been drawn to faith-filled churches. As a matter of fact, the name of the church were I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ is Faith Clinic Christian Center Church. God was obviously aware that my faith needed some healing and guidance. This church was the foundation to my Christian walk. There was a scripture that was included in almost every sermon, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21). It made such an impact on me, that I have had it attached to my email signature for years. The church trained members to be careful of what we said; no words opposite of God’s will were taken lightly. Even after being a member for one full year, I thought it was weird and to be honest, cult-like. However, as I have matured in the Lord, I have come to realized the power of our and others speech and my prejudice views.
Did you know that when you pray the will of God (that is, scripture based prayers), that you are to believe that your prayer will be answered, according to His word (Mark 11:24)? For instance, God has promised us, that if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead; you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Some have no problem accepting Romans 10:9 but have more difficulty in accepting other promises God has given us.
I can remember when I first started giving; I had the hardest time accepting Luke 6:38. First of all, I wasn’t giving with the intentions to receive, but to hear that I would receive the way I was giving didn’t quite mentally register. I would confess in church this promised blessing of God before giving my tithes and offering. Later, I would find myself doubtingly joking with friends that I didn’t care if I received or not; I simply gave because it felt good. Thank God, that he is faithful and ‘sticks’ to His words. As I did receive, based on what he commanded. My point is that my faith didn’t align with God’s word. I would confess His words, but later deny His power to fulfill. According to 2 Timothy 3:5, due to my lack of faith, I was a person that Christians were to avoid. Wow! That’s how serious God is about taking His word to heart.
He does not want Christians having communion with Christians, who deny, that He can do what He says He can do. According to thefreedictionary.com, one of the definitions for deny is ‘refusing to believe.’ In this case, this definition definitely applies. Abraham believed God had the power to do what he said he would do (Romans 4:20-25). Through Abraham, we are heirs of The Promise by accepting Jesus Christ. We are to do and confess what God said. Being that we are consistently watched by unbelievers for authenticity, your behavior and definitely words need to be aligned with God’s.
One of the most unselfish wills that God gave is for all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:1-4). As I have clearly stated in past blogs, I was a tremendous sinner. However, I’m saved through Jesus Christ. If you would have met me 15 years ago, you may not have believed that I would have accepted God’s plan for salvation. If you would have been praying for me to accept Christ as Savior, you may have doubts based on my behavior. Also, if you held relationships with people, who believed that I would never ‘get it together’, your faith confession for my salvation would have become even harder to believe. Eventually, the war of God’s words versus what you saw and worldly words would have taken full battle. More than likely, you would have begun speaking the opposite of God’s word. I have seen this happen many times in my life and the life of others. It typically starts subtle, but eventually adversely affects your prayer of what you believe God for. James 5:16 states the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Abraham was credited as righteous because he believed in God (Genesis 15:6). In order for you to be consider righteous, you must whole heartedly believe in God, as well, or your prayers are not effective.
Begin watching your tongue, the slightest negative word has the power to ruin your entire day, week, year, and possibly life. Also, this may hinder your prayer from being answered because of your double-mindedness. If you are clearly praying God’s will, mix your faith with patience and allow God to demonstrate His faithfulness. In the meantime, until your faith is aligned with God’s; it's best to simply keep your mouth shut! As the saying goes, “if you do not have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all’.
Keep it righteous!
If you desire to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please click on the link below.
http://www.cbn.com/stepstopeace/index.aspx
When I first heard this, I started laughing hysterically almost wrecking my car. Kenneth Copeland is one of my favorite Christian ministers to hear. He’s hilarious, brutally honest, old-school, and faith-filled. I view his preaching style as a grandfather speaking to his grandchildren. To say the least, I thoroughly enjoy his personality and scriptural deliverance. On this particular day, he was speaking on maintaining your faith in God’s promises. His direct encouragement was watching your talk; being sure that you were not speaking the opposite of The Blessing. To be truthful, I can’t remember the exact scripture that he referenced before speaking the aforementioned quote. However, that quote stuck with me.
I have always been drawn to faith-filled churches. As a matter of fact, the name of the church were I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ is Faith Clinic Christian Center Church. God was obviously aware that my faith needed some healing and guidance. This church was the foundation to my Christian walk. There was a scripture that was included in almost every sermon, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21). It made such an impact on me, that I have had it attached to my email signature for years. The church trained members to be careful of what we said; no words opposite of God’s will were taken lightly. Even after being a member for one full year, I thought it was weird and to be honest, cult-like. However, as I have matured in the Lord, I have come to realized the power of our and others speech and my prejudice views.
Did you know that when you pray the will of God (that is, scripture based prayers), that you are to believe that your prayer will be answered, according to His word (Mark 11:24)? For instance, God has promised us, that if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead; you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Some have no problem accepting Romans 10:9 but have more difficulty in accepting other promises God has given us.
I can remember when I first started giving; I had the hardest time accepting Luke 6:38. First of all, I wasn’t giving with the intentions to receive, but to hear that I would receive the way I was giving didn’t quite mentally register. I would confess in church this promised blessing of God before giving my tithes and offering. Later, I would find myself doubtingly joking with friends that I didn’t care if I received or not; I simply gave because it felt good. Thank God, that he is faithful and ‘sticks’ to His words. As I did receive, based on what he commanded. My point is that my faith didn’t align with God’s word. I would confess His words, but later deny His power to fulfill. According to 2 Timothy 3:5, due to my lack of faith, I was a person that Christians were to avoid. Wow! That’s how serious God is about taking His word to heart.
He does not want Christians having communion with Christians, who deny, that He can do what He says He can do. According to thefreedictionary.com, one of the definitions for deny is ‘refusing to believe.’ In this case, this definition definitely applies. Abraham believed God had the power to do what he said he would do (Romans 4:20-25). Through Abraham, we are heirs of The Promise by accepting Jesus Christ. We are to do and confess what God said. Being that we are consistently watched by unbelievers for authenticity, your behavior and definitely words need to be aligned with God’s.
One of the most unselfish wills that God gave is for all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:1-4). As I have clearly stated in past blogs, I was a tremendous sinner. However, I’m saved through Jesus Christ. If you would have met me 15 years ago, you may not have believed that I would have accepted God’s plan for salvation. If you would have been praying for me to accept Christ as Savior, you may have doubts based on my behavior. Also, if you held relationships with people, who believed that I would never ‘get it together’, your faith confession for my salvation would have become even harder to believe. Eventually, the war of God’s words versus what you saw and worldly words would have taken full battle. More than likely, you would have begun speaking the opposite of God’s word. I have seen this happen many times in my life and the life of others. It typically starts subtle, but eventually adversely affects your prayer of what you believe God for. James 5:16 states the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Abraham was credited as righteous because he believed in God (Genesis 15:6). In order for you to be consider righteous, you must whole heartedly believe in God, as well, or your prayers are not effective.
Begin watching your tongue, the slightest negative word has the power to ruin your entire day, week, year, and possibly life. Also, this may hinder your prayer from being answered because of your double-mindedness. If you are clearly praying God’s will, mix your faith with patience and allow God to demonstrate His faithfulness. In the meantime, until your faith is aligned with God’s; it's best to simply keep your mouth shut! As the saying goes, “if you do not have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all’.
Keep it righteous!
If you desire to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please click on the link below.
http://www.cbn.com/stepstopeace/index.aspx
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