Jesus!

"I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son" John 14:13

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When I was about 9 years old, my parents encouraged me to memorize John 14, the entire chapter. It took a few days but I eventually did. Back then I didn't realize how important it was to understand that chapter. It was the key that shapes my Christian walk. It is the one chapter in the Bible that clearly explains why we prayed in Jesus name, and also it is the chapter that reveals the power of the Trinity (God the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit).

When you pray in Jesus name, you come to the father with everything that Jesus is, when you mention His name to the father, you are reminding Him of the blood covenant, the sacrifice on Calvary that is why you cannot fail. You can have power and dominance over whatever you are facing. "In Jesus Name" is not just some fancy words we used at the end of a prayer. It is the assurance that you will get whatever you just prayed for.

The name of Jesus comes with/synonymous of power and authority. I t is the name that is above all names. (Philippians 2:5-11). It is the ONLY name that SAVES.

God wants YOU to walk with power, talk with Power and more importantly He wants YOU to be filled with His power, but you have to know how to get it. His power is in His word, in Jesus, the Word becomes flesh (John 1:14).

When you pray in Jesus name, believe that you receive. You cannot pray in Jesus name and continue to worry about you situation. Jesus is power, dominion, love and victory.
You can come to God and expect a miracle in Jesus name.

I don't pray in Jesus name and hope to get an answer. I pray in His name and KNOW/EXPECT that my request/need is met and my answer already given (notice the past tense) on Calvary years ago.

Are you facing something so great, so powerful that it seems irresponsible not to worry? Are you facing a battle that seems lost in the natural? Let me assure you, there is no need to worry; your battle is already won in the spiritual, in Jesus name.

It is the will of God for you to be "worry free" to prosper, to be in good health. (Jeremiah 29:11-12).

It does not matter what you are facing, it doesn't matter what the doctor says, it doesn't matter what it looks like, it doesn't matter what your spouse and friends are saying. The word God assures you that you are more than a conqueror through Christ (Roman 8:37). And that's that. You need to stand on the Word of God.

There is power in the name of Jesus. Put your faith to work and receive your miracle in Jesus name.

Praise the Lord!

Form them for the Lord..............

Make Bible reading time a priority

Who is Responsible for your Child’ Spiritual Formation?

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11: 18-19

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Their eyes are always on you whether you notice or not

Who is ultimately responsible for your child spiritual formation?  As a youth pastor, and long time Sunday school teacher, I have asked myself numerous times this very question. I don’t think parents realize that they are responsible for their children spiritual formation. Parents do not bring children to church as they used to anymore, and when asked, they often come up with flimsy excuses. Either they had to stay home to catch up on their much needed sleep due to hard work at school or they were too sick.  I believe that parents pray over their children and hope that they turn up okay.  The Bible commands us to “train” the children. As an experienced human resource professional, I can tell you that training is a process. It requires persistence. It takes time. Training involves coaching and hands on.  Parents must not forget that there is really a spiritual warfare going on in this world and that children have to be prepared for battles. They cannot be bystanders. They must choose a side.  They have to know who they must serve: The Lord or the devil. Jesus says it Himself “Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me. Matthew 12:30

Start them up early 

If parents are not telling their children what team to cheer for, I can guarantee that someone else is doing it for them. It is likely that they are cheering for the opponent and the deceiver. Teaching is not only about telling them what to do as much as it is about demonstrating how to live by living by spiritual principles as well. Children learn more by observing you than anything else. Parents are the primary role models. Nothing saddened me more than child’s neglect. It hurts my heart to the point of tears when I visit a family and all the children are home playing video games or watching television while the parents are at church. I think it is selfish for parents to ensure that their spiritual needs are met while they are neglecting the spiritual needs of their children. They need God just as much as the adults if not more. Children are more vulnerable to the attacks of the devil. Children need to be protected. They need to know how to fight the good fight of faith and they will not learn by watching television.

Parents, at the appointed time, God will hold you accountable for your role in your children’s lives. Will you be able to hold your head up or will you bow down in shame? Remember, children are gifts of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

It is never too late to change the direction of your home. Choose to serve the Lord with all your heart. Choose to instill the love of God in your children's lives. Choose to be the role model they so desperately need.

 And Father how grateful we are to you for entrusting us with your dear children! Help us teach them your ways. Give us the strength to instill your love in their hearts so that when they are grown they will continue to pursue your righteousness. We praise you. We honor you. We adore you. For only you are holy and only you are worthy, and only you are God.

Praise the Lord!

Be Available!

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17

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You are not awake by accident. God preordained this day just for you.  Start each day with this affirmation of faith: "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). People don't enjoy each day because they are worrying about yesterday and tomorrow. The truth is yesterday is gone forever and tomorrow is not guaranteed. Friend, we only have today so let us make the best of it. Expect the unexpected. Expect something great to happen today. Expect favor of man and expect favor of God. Confess to yourself that "Disappointments of yesterday and worries of tomorrow have no place in my today".  In fact, don't wait for something good to happen. Make something good happen instead. Call a sick friend and pray together. Take a child to the park. Invite a friend to lunch. Walk up to your aged neighbor's door and offer to do the laundry, read a book or mow the lawn. Take the lonely couple down the block for a walk or offer to take their pet for a walk. You will be amazed at the results.

Trust me when I tell you that doing something for others brings much joy, and there is nothing more unfortunate than a missed opportunity. It is possible that I have told this story before on Bible Tour with Joline. I was at the grocery store a while back and there was a lady who was trying to pay for a few items. As I was approaching the cash register the Spirit of God came upon me and instructed me to pay for the lady's purchase. I was running late for work and only I stopped by to get my daily yogurt and I was in no mood to spend more than I planned. I justified it to myself by saying "God knows I don't have much myself." Besides, I did not wist to cause an embarrassment for the lady by interfering. So, I looked away as the cashier and the lady continued their animated discussion. I over heard the lady saying that she really needed the food for lunch and the cashier repeatedly said she could not pay for "hot food" with her EBT card. The card is for groceries and not for food from the deli section of the store. When I finally decided to intervene and make eye contact, the lady was gone. I immediately felt intense sadness and remorse. I ran outside and looked up and down but the lady was nowhere to be found. How sad! The total was $2.05, God was not able to count on me for little over two dollars. I spent the entire day trying to make up for   the missed opportunity. I  purchased treats for my students and my co-workers but I felt horribly all day long. I had to repent and ask God for forgiveness and I promise myself to keep my eyes open for opportunities to serve.  We should wake up ready and willing to be used by God in any way He chooses. Friend, God should be able to count on us to carry out His Will. We should be excited about life, about giving and serving. We are never more like Christ than when we serve each other and sadly, we are never more like the devil when we look the other way and refuse to help.

Friend, right now is your opportunity. Make the best of every moment. Be on the look out for opportunity to serve. Feed someone. Help someone cross the street. Call someone. Pray with with someone. Pray for someone. Visit someone. Study with someone. Love someone. Be like Christ. Make today the best day for someone else and you will be blessed. God will reward you. Your challenges will be less consuming when you focus on someone else. Choose to see beauty where you are right now. Try to see others like God sees you. Try to love the way you want to be loved.  Be that person who does not  miss an opportunity to serve. Be that person who leads someone to Christ by your testimony. Be the one whose life inspire others. Be the one that God can count on no matter the cost. Be totally available to God and be blessed!

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 11

¹ In the Lord I take refuge. 
    How then can you say to me:
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain. 
² For look, the wicked bend their bows; 
    they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows 
    at the upright in heart. 
³ When the foundations are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

⁴ The Lord is in his holy temple; 
    the Lord is on his heavenly throne. 
He observes everyone on earth; 
    his eyes examine them.
⁵ The Lord examines the righteous, 
    but the wicked, those who love violence,
    he hates with a passion. 
⁶ On the wicked he will rain
    fiery coals and burning sulfur; 
    a scorching wind will be their lot.

⁷ For the Lord is righteous, 
    he loves justice; 
    the upright will see his face.

Be Available to God...........

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17

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You are not awake by accident. God preordained this day just for you.  Start each day with this affirmation of faith: "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). People don't enjoy each day because they are worrying about yesterday and tomorrow. The truth is yesterday is gone forever and tomorrow is not guaranteed. Friend, we only have today so let us make the best of it. Expect the unexpected. Expect something great to happen today. Expect favor of man and expect favor of God. Confess to yourself that "Disappointments of yesterday and worries of tomorrow have no place in my today".  In fact, don't wait for something good to happen. Make something good happen instead. Call a sick friend and pray together. Take a child to the park. Invite a friend to lunch. Walk up to your aged neighbor's door and offer to do the laundry, read a book or mow the lawn. Take the lonely couple down the block for a walk or offer to take their pet for a walk. You will be amazed at the results.

Trust me when I tell you that doing something for others brings much joy, and there is nothing more unfortunate than a missed opportunity. It is possible that I have told this story before on Bible Tour with Joline. I was at the grocery store a while back and there was a lady at the cash register trying to pay for a few items. As I was approaching the cash register the Spirit of God came upon me and instructed me to pay for the lady's purchase. I was running late for work and only I stopped by to get my daily yogurt and I was in no mood to spend more than I planned. I justified it to myself by saying "God knows I don't have much myself." Besides, I did not wist to cause an embarrassment for the lady by interfering. So, I looked away as the cashier and the lady continued their animated discussion. I over heard the lady saying that she really needed the food for lunch and the cashier repeatedly said she could not pay for "hot food" with her EBT card. The card is for groceries and not for food from the deli section of the store. When I finally decided to intervene and make eye contact, the lady was gone. I immediately felt intense sadness and remorse. I ran outside and looked up and down but the lady was nowhere to be found. How sad! 

The total was $2.05, God was not able to count on me for little over two dollars. I spent the entire day trying to make up for   the missed opportunity. I  purchased treats for my students and my co-workers but I felt horribly all day long. I had to repent and ask God for forgiveness and I promise myself to keep my eyes open for opportunities to serve.  We should wake up ready and willing to be used by God in any way He chooses. Friend, God should be able to count on us to carry out His Will. We should be excited about life, about giving and serving. We are never more like Christ than when we serve each other and sadly, we are never more like the devil when we look the other way and refuse to help.

Friend, right now is your opportunity. Make the best of every moment. Be on the look out for opportunity to serve. Feed someone. Help someone cross the street. Call someone. Pray with with someone. Pray for someone. Visit someone. Study with someone. Love someone. Be like Christ. Make today the best day for someone else and you will be blessed. God will reward you. Your challenges will be less consuming when you focus on someone else. Choose to see beauty where you are right now. Try to see others like God sees you. Try to love the way you want to be loved.  Be that person who does not  miss an opportunity to serve. Be that person who leads someone to Christ by your testimony. Be the one whose life inspire others. Be the one that God can count on no matter the cost. Be totally available to God and be blessed!

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

I am Available to you Lord......................

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17

You are not awake by accident. God preordained this day just for you.  Begin every day with this affirmation of faith: "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). People don't enjoy each day because they are worrying about yesterday and tomorrow. The truth is yesterday is gone forever and tomorrow is not guaranteed. Friend, we only have today so let us make the best of it. Expect the unexpected. Expect something great to happen today. Expect favor of man and expect favor of God. Confess to yourself that "Disappointments of yesterday and worries of tomorrow have no place in my today".  In fact, don't wait for something good to happen. Make something good happen instead. Call a sick friend and pray together. Take a child to the park. Invite a friend to lunch. Walk up to your aged neighbor's door and offer to do the laundry, read a book or mow the lawn. Take the lonely couple down the block for a walk or offer to take their pet for a walk. You will be amazed at the results.

Trust me when I tell you that doing something for others brings much joy, and there is nothing more unfortunate than a missed opportunity. It is possible that I have told this story before on Bible Tour with Joline. I was at the grocery store a while back and there was a lady who was waiting to pay. As I was approaching the cash register the Spirit of God came upon me and instructed me to pay for the lady's purchase. I was running late for work and only I stopped by to get my daily yogurt and I was in no mood to spend more than I planned. I justified it to myself by saying "God knows I don't have much myself." Besides, I did not wist to cause an embarrassment for the lady by interfering. So, I looked away as the cashier and the lady continued their animated discussion. I over heard the lady saying that she really needed the food for lunch and the cashier repeatedly said she could not pay for "hot food" with her EBT card. The card is for groceries and not for food from the deli section of the store. When I finally decided to intervene and make eye contact, the lady was gone. I immediately felt intense sadness and remorse. I ran outside and looked up and down but the lady was nowhere to be found. How sad! 

The total was $2.05, God was not able to count on me for little over two dollars. I spent the entire day trying to make up for   the missed  opportunity. I  purchased treats for my students and my co-workers but I felt horribly all day long. I had to repent and ask God for forgiveness and I promise myself to keep my eyes open for opportunities to serve.  We should wake up ready and willing to be used by God in any way He chooses. Friend, God should be able to count on us to carry out His Will. We should be excited about life, about giving and serving. We are never more like Christ than when we serve each other and sadly, we are never more like the devil when we look the other way and refuse to help.

Friend, right now is your opportunity. Make the best of every moment. Be on the look out for opportunity to serve. Feed someone. Help someone cross the street. Call someone. Pray with with someone. Pray for someone. Visit someone. Study with someone. Love someone. Be like Christ. Make today the best day for someone else and you will be blessed. God will reward you. Your challenges will be less consuming when you focus on someone else. Choose to see beauty where you are right now. Try to see others like God sees you. Try to love the way you want to be loved.  Be that person who does not  miss an opportunity to serve. Be that person who leads someone to Christ by your testimony. Be the one whose life inspire others. Be the one that God can count on no matter the cost. Be totally available to God and be blessed!

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

Praise the Lord!

Fear is Ungodly Period!

Jesus told them, "It's me. Don't be afraid!" John 6:20 

Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you. Deuteronomy 3:21

The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

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After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends his disciples ahead of him in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Few hours later in the night, the disciples encounter a storm. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water and this terrifies the disciples and they think they are seeing a ghost. Jesus tells them "Take courage! It is I.  Don't be afraid." 

 The part that hunts me is the fact that Jesus lovingly told them "It is I, don't be afraid," He could have been so upset for their lack of faith because just hours earlier He fed many with just a little and they were all present. 

This morning what is it you are going through (yet again)? Are you terrified? The real question is, didn't God deliver you last year? He will do it again. The situation that you are facing maybe new to you but it is not new to God.  He is able to fix it and the good news is that God is willing to do so. He is greater than all of your obstacles, your lacks, your challenges, your heartaches and your pain and your hopes and dreams put together. God is greater than Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, Heart disease, AIDS, High Blood Pressure, Glaucoma, kidney and liver disease put together.  He can, and He will take you (victoriously) out of trouble if you would just trust Him (believe completely/ no doubt). When you trust the Lord you will win. He is Almighty and Omnipotent. Why are you afraid? What is keeping you up at night? What is intimidating you?  Is it a negative diagnosis? Is it unemployment and or foreclosure notice? Fear cannot be where God is because it comes from the enemy.  ^"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eye and see the punishment of the wicked. Psalm 91: 4-8

The lesson for you and me today is that your faith must be rooted in Christ and you must not allow yourself to be distracted by life's circumstances. I don't care how terrifying and/or hopeless it seems. Christ didn't die just to watch you and I perish hopelessly. He is still the answer to all of our trouble.

Dear friend, call on His name, invite Him in and He will deliver you once again, but you must turn it over to Him. Listen, the wind obeyed God. Your situation will have to bow down as well. As a born again believer, if you keep your eyes on the LORD rather than the situation that threatens to overpower your life, you will be able to walk through the waves with confidence in Christ's ability to bring you peace. The word of God in 1 Corinthians 10:13 assure us that there is nothing that can happen to the believer outside God's control. 

It is my conviction that Jesus walks on water to assure us that the invisible realities of faith in Christ are victorious over the visible threats of this world regardless of the form they may take (financial, physical and spiritual challenges). Christ is still the answer. Have no fear. Walk in faith and you will walk in victory.

Jesus told him, “Do not be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:36

Praise the Lord! 

Psalm 91

1 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, 
    my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare 
    and from the deadly pestilence. 
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge; 
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways; 
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he^[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him. 
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation. ”

Teach Children about God...........

Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not turn away from it. Proverbs 22:6

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Parents must know that before they can ever be successful Christian parents, they must have their own relationship with the Lord, and, just as it is important that children see them living right, they must also see them loving each other as God intended. Friend, you cannot teach your children something you are not practicing. Believe me when I tell you that this generation will not do as you say, but you can be sure that they will do as you do. You have to practice what you preach. You must live the value.  If you expect your life to have a positive impact on your children, then you must be transformed by the Word of God first. Your children must see that God is the center of your life and that you value your relationship with Him. It is of great importance that you set aside personal time alone with God. You need to be growing so that you can help your children to grow. Listen, do not underestimate the influence your way of life has on your children. If you wan godly children as I suspect you do, then you must also be a godly parent. As an educator, I know that usually a child's attitude is the direct result of the parents’ life. I can almost predict what the parents will be like when I meet them based on the students behavior. I know for a fact that children learn best by observation.Children learn by observing you. Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers are commanded to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. You cannot leave this up to others, including your wife (of course, she is responsible too). You are responsible (both parents). You have no right to shift it to others.

The Bible says that parents (so glad it does not say "mothers") should diligently teach the Word to their children. The word "diligent" means "attentive, careful, and persistent".  You are not to teach them through the "Because I said so!"  method. It does not work because it not biblical. You must develop in them convictions based on the Word of God. Children are the heritage of God and His reward. Therefore, you must teach them what  God would have them learn. Some parents spend too much time away from home pursuing other interests. Some simply don't care and this behavior is unacceptable. Raising children is a responsibility that both parents have to embrace. It is the Will of God for the Word of God is the Will of God.

Friend you must accept the honor of raising the children that God entrusted you with and you must exercise due diligence in raising them  properly as instructed by God. You must not leave this God-given responsibility to others You will be held accountable for your own disobedience at the appointed time. Let's show the precious children that serving God  isn’t optional. Teach them the truth. Show them that God's way is the best way.

And Father how grateful I am for your your truth. Thank you for this much needed word today. Thank you for trusting me with the honorable task of raising your children. Give me the strength to raise to do the right thing no matter how difficult. I honor you and I praise you in the holy name of Jesus your son, and my Lord and Savior.

Praise the Lord!

Send Me Lord....................

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17

 

You are not awake by accident. God preordained this day just for you.  Begin every day with this affirmation of faith: "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). People don't enjoy each day because they are worrying about yesterday and tomorrow. The truth is yesterday is gone forever and tomorrow is not guaranteed. Friend, we only have today so let us make the best of it. Expect the unexpected. Expect something great to happen today. Expect favor of man and expect favor of God. Confess to yourself that "Disappointments of yesterday and worries of tomorrow have no place in my today".  In fact, don't wait for something good to happen. Make something good happen instead. Call a sick friend and pray together. Take a child to the park. Invite a friend to lunch. Walk up to your aged neighbor's door and offer to do the laundry, read a book or mow the lawn. Take the lonely couple down the block for a walk or offer to take their pet for a walk. You will be amazed at the results.

Trust me when I tell you that doing something for others brings much joy, and there is nothing more unfortunate than a miss opportunity. It is possible that I have told this story before on Bible Tour with Joline. I was at the grocery store a while back and there was a lady at the cash register trying to pay for a few items. As I was approaching the cash register the Spirit of God came upon me and instructed me to pay for the lady's purchase. I was running late for work and only I stopped by to get my daily yogurt and I was in no mood to spend more than I planned. I justified it to myself by saying "God knows I don't have much myself." moreover, I did not wish to cause an embarrassment for the lady by interfering. So, I looked away as the cashier and the lady continued their animated discussion. I over heard the lady saying that she really needed the food for lunch and the cashier repeatedly said she could not pay for "hot food" with her EBT card. The card is for groceries and not for food from the deli section of the store. When I finally decided to intervene and make eye contact, the lady was gone. I immediately felt intense sadness and remorse. I ran outside and looked up and down but the lady was nowhere to be found. How sad! The total was $2.05, God was not able to count on me for little over two dollars.

 I spent the entire day trying to make up for   the miss opportunity. I  purchased treats for my students and my co-workers but I felt horribly all day long. I had to repent and ask God for forgiveness and I promise myself to keep my eyes open for opportunities to serve.  We should wake up ready and willing to be used by God in any way He chooses. Friend, God should be able to count on us to carry out His Will. We should be excited about life, about giving and serving. We are never more like Christ than when we serve each other and sadly, we are never more like the devil when we look the other way and refuse to help.

Friend, right now is your opportunity. Make the best of every moment. Be on the look out for opportunity to serve. Feed someone. Help someone cross the street. Call someone. Pray with with someone. Pray for someone. Visit someone. Study with someone. Love someone. Be like Christ. Make today the best day for someone else and you will be blessed. God will reward you. Your challenges will be less consuming when you focus on someone else. Choose to see beauty where you are right now. Try to see others like God sees you. Try to love the way you want to be loved.  Be that person who does not  miss an opportunity to serve. Be that person who leads someone to Christ by your testimony. Be the one whose life inspire others. Be the one that God can count on no matter the cost and be blessed!

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

Praise the Lord!

Be Like Christ!

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:17

You are not awake by accident. God preordained this day just for you.  Begin every day with this affirmation of faith: "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). People don't enjoy each day because they are worrying about yesterday and tomorrow. The truth is yesterday is gone forever and tomorrow is not guaranteed. Friend, we only have today so let us make the best of it. Expect the unexpected. Expect something great to happen today. Expect favor of man and expect favor of God. Confess to yourself that "Disappointments of yesterday and worries of tomorrow have no place in my today".  In fact, don't wait for something good to happen. Make something good happen instead. Call a sick friend and pray together. Take a child to the park. Invite a friend to lunch. Walk up to your aged neighbor's door and offer to do the laundry, read a book or mow the lawn. Take the lonely couple down the block for a walk or offer to take their pet for a walk. You will be amazed at the results.

Trust me when I tell you that doing something for others brings much joy, and there is nothing more unfortunate than a miss opportunity. It is possible that I have told this story before on Bible Tour with Joline. I was at the grocery store a while back and there was a lady at the cash register trying to pay for a few items. As I was approaching the cash register the Spirit of God came upon me and instructed me to pay for the lady's purchase. I was running late for work and only I stopped by to get my daily yogurt and I was in no mood to spend more than I planned. I justified it to myself by saying "God knows I don't have much myself." Besides, I did not wish to cause an embarrassment for the lady by interfering. So, I looked away as the cashier and the lady continued their animated discussion. I over heard the lady saying that she really needed the food for lunch and the cashier repeatedly said she could not pay for "hot food" with her EBT card. The card is for groceries and not for food from the deli section of the store. When I finally decided to intervene and make eye contact, the lady was gone. I immediately felt intense sadness and remorse. I ran outside and looked up and down but the lady was nowhere to be found. How sad! 

The total was $2.05 and God was not able to count on me for little over two dollars. I spent the entire day trying to make up for  the miss opportunity. I  purchased treats for my students and my co-workers but I felt sick of my behavior all day long. I had to repent and ask God for forgiveness and I promise myself to keep my eyes open for opportunities to serve.  We should wake up ready and willing to be used by God in any way He chooses. Friend, God should be able to count on us to carry out His Will. We should be excited about life, about giving and serving. We are never more like Christ than when we serve each other and sadly, we are never more like the devil when we look the other way and refuse to help.

Friend, right now is your opportunity. Make the best of every moment. Be on the look out for opportunity to serve. Feed someone. Help someone cross the street. Call someone. Pray with with someone. Pray for someone. Visit someone. Study with someone. Love someone. Be like Christ. Make today the best day for someone else and you will be blessed. God will reward you. Your challenges will be less consuming when you focus on someone else. Choose to see beauty where you are right now. Try to see others like God sees you. Try to love the way you want to be loved.  Be that person who does not  miss an opportunity to serve. Be that person who leads someone to Christ by your testimony. Be the one whose life inspire others. Be the one that God can count on no matter the cost and be blessed!

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

Praise the Lord!