Are You Afraid To Go Against The Grain Even If You Know It's What God Is Telling "You" To Do? You Have To Understand ... Not Everyone Is Going To Trust, Believe, Wait, or Live For God Like You Do ...

Remember, not everyone is going to accept you or agree with you, EVEN WHEN you are walking with God.   It would be great to know that people see God the way you see Him.   It would be great to know that people trust God the way you trust Him.   It would be great if everyone understood the basis for the decisions you make in your life pertaining to trusting, believing, waiting, and living for God.   Unfortunately, not everyone is going to agree with you, trust God with you, believe God with you, wait on God with you, or even live for God with you.   But it's okay.  Even when you have to walk the walk alone, IT'S WORTH IT.    

We want people to understand but there will be times when people will just believe what they want to believe and say what they want to say.   It is "human nature" for people to want to communicate about something.   In many cases the communication actually turns out to be more murmuring and complaining about something which is in no way of God.   Don't be a person who murmurs or complains.  Don't be drawn into the ways of the world just so you can fit in.  Be a person who edifies and lifts up.   Be a person who tells the truth "in love".    Be a person who is not afraid to go against the grain if that is the way God is telling you to go.   

God never told us to try to fit in.   In actuality, He wants us to stand out for Him.  It may sometimes hurt when you feel as though you are walking the walk alone.   BUT KNOW THAT IT'S WORTH IT and know that YOU ARE NEVER ALONE.   Even when there is no family with you and your friends are gone ... God is still there.   He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.   

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION

Hebrews 13:5

King James Version (KJV)

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

WORSHIP FOR TODAY ...

"I Am Not Alone"

Ministered By Kari Jobe

REFERENCE/CITATION:   Kari Jobe - I Am Not Alone (Live). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfveawSAHJA

Life Is A Series Of Battles But You Have To Understand That You Have Already Been Given The Victory!

What's winning?   There is a battle going on and that battle never ceases.  The question is, "what" is winning?   Is your flesh winning or are you overcoming your flesh and walking in the spiritual victory you have been given?   What we have to understand is that the "victory" has already been won but it is the daily battle between the flesh and the spirit that is continual.    When you look at a war, you have understand, the war is not just comprised of one battle.   It's a series of battles that essentially culminates into the victory.    To culminate means to reach the highest point of development or to end at a final stage.     You have to always remember, the victory has been won and by doing so, you will understand that you are well able to win the daily battle against your flesh. 

Galatians 5 tells us that  the sins of the flesh are evident.    When something is evident, it is plain and clear to our sight and our understanding.    We have to get to to the point where we stop looking over the sins of the flesh because we are comfortable or because they appeal to us.   We have to step up to the plate and win the battle by choosing God and overcoming our fleshly desires.    We have to understand the true nature of the battle.   The battle is actually just a matter of choice.   We have to continuously "choose God" in every situation.    Let your love for God always override your lust for other things.  

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION 

Galatians 5

King James Version 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Understanding That You Are God's Handiwork and Allowing Him To Get The Glory From Your Life ...

TO GOD BE THE GLORY for the things He has done!    Are you giving Him the glory?   Are you living your life in a way where the Father is being glorified?   Have you ever worked on a project and finished it?   Did your family, friends, co-workers, and supervisors give you accolades for what a good job you did?   Understand you are God's divine workmanship.   He created you but He placed within you the ability to choose the way you "style" your life.    In other words, your "lifestyle" is a matter of choice.     

How are you "styling" your life.    Your style is your mode of living.   It refers to your appearance, your character, and your mode of living.   What is your mode of living?   In other words, how are you acting and how are your representing the Father?   Are you representing Him well?   Are you living Your life in a way where He is being glorified?  Where the people in your circle of influence are able to give Him accolades or should I say praise?   It's up to you.   How you reflect the Father and His goodness in your life, is totally and completely up to you.   

REPRESENT HIM WELL.    Let God be glorified and magnified in and through your life.   After all, it is only in Him that we live, breathe, and have our being.    

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION 

Ephesians 2:10

King James Version (KJV)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

WORSHIP FOR TODAY ... 

"To God Be The Glory"

Ministered By Andre Crouch and All Star Choir 

REFERENCE / CITATION:   My Tribute (To God Be The Glory) - Andrae Crouch & All Star Choir - Tribute Album. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RZTYDPavEY#t=277

Is God Remaining Your Focal Point In The Midst Of Your Pain or Are You Allowing Your Situation To Cause Your Attention To Be Diverted?

Understand what a distraction is.   It is "anything" that divides your attention or causes a diversion.   It is something that prevents you from focusing and concentrating.    What is it that is causing you to be distracted?   What is keeping you from focusing on God and the things of God?    What is diverting your attention?   You have to get to a place where God remains your focal point no matter what you are going through.   Yes, its hard to do but you have to remember that God is always with you.   He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.   He has promised to keep you and to carry you.  

Remember those times when you feel down and got hurt and all you could do was cry out for your mother or your father.   Those times where they were your source of comfort in the midst of your pain.   That is how you have to see God.   You have to know that He is your heavenly Father.   He wants you to cry out to Him.   He wants to be your source of comfort.   He wants to wrap you in His arms and He wants you to know that everything is going to be alright.  

Learn how to call out to God "in the midst of" your situation.   When you are in the midst of something, you are right in the middle of it.    You are surrounded by it.  But even when you are surrounded by situations that are beyond your control, know that nothing is to hard for God.   Know that He is your shield and buckler.   Know that He is your source of peace and protection.   Know that HE IS GOD and there is no one and nothing that can every overtake Him and He is on your side.  

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION 

Isaiah 26:3

King James Version (KJV)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Worship For Today ... 

"I Have A Father"

Ministered By Marantha Singers

REFERENCE:   He Knows My Name by Maranatha Singers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60#t=14

It's Time To Step Out Of Fear and To Stand On The Firm Foundation Of God's Word

What are you standing on?   You say that you are believing God and you say that you are waiting on God.   But while you are believing and while you are waiting, what is it that you are standing on?   Are you standing on God's Word?   Are you walking in faith?   Are you remembering who God is and what God has said that He will do?   Or are you standing in fear?    You have to choose to step out of fear and to stand on God's Word.    

God's Word is our firm foundation.   Even when everything around us seems to be constantly changing, God's Word changes not.   His Word is true and He and His Word are one.    God said in His Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us.   He said that He would watch over us and keep us.   He said that He is the Lord God that heals us.   In His Word, He said that He knows the things we have need of and that He is faithful and He is just to provide us with those things.    God said that He would make our enemies our footstool.   He said that He would prepare a table for us in the presence of our enemies.   His Word says that He is able to make all grace abound towards us so that in all things and all times, we have all that we need to abound in every good work.   

So know that God is faithful and that His Word is true.   Stand on the firm foundation of His Word (what He has said).    Don't move into fear.   Know that God has said for us to "fear not" for He is with us.    

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
2 Corinthians 9:8
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

WORSHIP FOR TODAY 

"I Stand On Your Word"

Ministered By Jonathan Butler

REFERENCE:   Jonathan Butler - I Stand On Your Word [Official Video]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYB8CLcv7pU

 

Are You Getting Caught In The Thicket Of Life or Are You Focusing On God Completely and Serving Him Faithfully?

It's very difficult to walk forward when you keep looking backwards.   It's time to focus ahead.   The word ahead means in or to the front.   It means in advance of or before.   It's time to keep your eyes focused on what God is doing and to stop trying to go back to things in your life that have already been done whether they be good or bad.   We are to remember the good and allow our memories to serve as a tool that undergirds our faith for what we are needing or expecting God to do in our present and future but we can't stay in our past.    

Understand, God says in His Word that He has set "before" us an open door.  He says in Isaiah 43:19 that He is doing a new thing and that He will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.   So even if you can't see your way through the "thicket" of life, know that God has already made a way.  A thicket is a dense growth of trees, bushes, or shrubbery that is very close together, often making it difficult for people to walk through.    In life, situations can come up in our lives and can sometimes surround us and cause it to be very difficult for us to see our way out but we have to know, trust, and understand that God is with us and He has already made a way of escape for us.   

One of the biggest problems we have is that we have a tendency to look back because we want what we had instead of desiring what God has prepared for us.   As we look back, we tend to get lost in the thicket of life.   We tend to get caught up or entangled in the things that are surrounding us instead of staying focused on God and pressing through to receive his promises.    It's time to focus on what is ahead of us and to let go of what is behind.    It's time to live in expectation of God's future promises and to let go of the pain of our past.   It's time to focus on God completely and to serve Him faithfully.   

Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert   

WORSHIP FOR TODAY ... 

"It Is Well"

Ministered By Kristene DiMarco & Bethel Music

REFERENCE:   It Is Well - Kristene DiMarco & Bethel Music - You Make Me Brave. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI

Are You Allowing Your Faith Filled Words To Become Fear Filled Words?

Be consistent.   One definition of the word consistent is "not self-contradictory".  When someone contradicts something, they say the opposite of what has been said.   It may be what they have said previously or what someone else has said.   Don't be contradictory when it comes to the way, the Word, and the will of God.   Be consistent.   Stay focused.   Don't look back.   

Sometimes things happen in life that cause us to "want to" question our walk and our faith in God.  Things beyond our control.   Sometimes it is sickness.  Sometimes it is lack.  Sometimes it may be the death of a loved one.   But we have to know, believe, stand, and stay on the Word that we say we believe.   We have to remain in faith.   We have to walk consistently with God and keep our words in alignment with His Word.  

It's easy to become inconsistent, to give up, and to quit.   It's hard to stand still, be consistent, and to stay in faith when everything around you seems to be going in the opposite direction but TRUST GOD.   Trust that His Word is true.   Be consistent in your prayer life.   Be consistent with reading God's Word.   Be consistent with your words.   Stay in faith and don't contradict what you say you believe.    Don't allow fear of failure to cause your faith filled words to become fear filled words.    God is at work in you and He has already worked everything out for you.   His promises are true.   Keep your hope, expectation, and belief in Him.   He will do what He has promised.  

SCRIPTURE MEDITATIONIsaiah 41:10King James Version (KJV)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.

WORSHIP FOR TODAY ... 

"Whom Shall I Fear"

Ministered By Chris Tomlin 

REFERENCE/CITATION:   Chris Tomlin - Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies] [Lyrics]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOkImV2cJDg

Are You Being Still and Do You Know That He Is God?

You can't keep going backwards.   You can't retreating to what is comfortable for you.   God has called you out.   He has called you by name.   He doesn't make mistakes.   He doesn't go back on His Word.   You have to know that His Word works.   You have to put your trust and your faith in what He has said and not the thoughts that keep coming up in your mind.    God is well able to deliver you and His grace, love, and power are not based on the appearance of your situation.   He is all powerful and He is all knowing.   He knows what you are going through and He knows how you feel.    He knows the torment, anxiety, and pain and because He knows He has already made a way of escape for your.   Just be strong in Him.   Just wait on Him.   Just believe in Him.   

Sometimes it gets hard trying to wait on God's plan of deliverance but you have to know that His promises are true.   He said in His Word that He is not a man that He should lie nor the son of man that He should repent.   UNDERSTAND, He is God.   You have to trust and believe that what He said, He WILL do.    

The thing about being still is that it is hard.   It's hard not to have the ability to move and yet be still.   Just think about how children play the game "freeze".   It's hard stopping in midstream and JUST BEING STILL.   But that is what God wants us to do.   He wants us to BE STILL AND KNOW that He is God.   

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION

Psalm 46:10

King James Version (KJV)

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

Worship For Today ... 

"Be Still and Know"

Ministered By Steven Curtis Chapman

REFERENCE/CITATION:  Steven Curtis Chapman--be still and know. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHlbnNUHQGI#t=35

Does Your Love For God Override Your Lust For Other Things and Are You Willing To Give God Your All?

We have to understand the difference between love and lust.   A lust is a deep passionate desire or craving for someone or something.   Whereas, the love of God is unending and sacrificial.  It encompasses the love He has for us, as well as, the love we have for Him.   The Bible says, GOD IS LOVE.  So when we walk in love, we should be reflecting who and what God is.    

The first thing we have to recognize about the love of God is that it is sacrificial.   One characteristic that you will always see when you see the love of God is "willingness".  When you are willing to do something, you don't have to be persuaded.   There are so many things we can do for God but the question is, are we willing?   Are we willing to be obedient to God?   Are we willing to serve Him with our whole heart?   Are we willing to let go and let God have total control of our lives?   Are we willing to totally surrender to Him?  

So many times with our mouths we say we love Him but God is not looking for "lip service".   When you love someone, you do what you can for them.   You make sacrifices for them.   You put their desires above your own.   Do you really love God?   Do you love Him enough to sacrifice the desires of your flesh for Him?   Do you love Him enough to surrender all that you are to Him?   Do you love more than the things in your life that are pulling on you and at you?    DO YOU LOVE GOD ENOUGH to let go and to allow Him to have total control of your life?  

The question is not whether or not you love God.   The question is do you love God ENOUGH to let go?    He loves you so much that He sacrificed His Son for you.   Are you willing to sacrifice the desires and lusts of your flesh for Him?  Will you choose Him over self today?  

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION 
Deuteronomy 30:15-16 (KJV)
See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 

WORSHIP FOR TODAY

"I Surrender All"

Ministered By Israel Houghton 

REFERENCE / CITATION:  I Surrender All - Israel Houghton. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRZDHmlmKCU