The Issue of Holiness Part #2

Part #2


No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13:4

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There is no better time to discuss sexual immorality then in this day and age. We are living in a world where things have become so confusing. The lines of good and evil are blurred. Moral values have become things that we should be ashamed of or at least refrain from showing. Sexual immorality is now celebrated. Almost all young Hollywood stars have released a sex tape or some "accidental" nude shots. Abstinence has become a laughable topic. Incestuous relationships have become more common. Sexual immorality has become a social-cultural issue and not a spiritual one. Parents have a responsibility to instruct children on what is good an honorable. They are certainly not going to learn it anywhere else. The technological explosion has made pornography accessible to children. Parents need to be extremely vigilant.

The Bible even warns us about vigilance in 1 Peter 5:8:  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Do not let him devour your child. Be vigilant! Your children can still know the truth in this deceitful world.You  actually can teach against sexual immorality without teaching hatred. Teach them to hate sin but they can still love the sinner. Jesus loves us but He hates sin. When He lives among us He never rejected anyone due to sin. As a matter of fact, He came to reconcile us with the Father by paying the ultimate price (gave His life) for our salvation.

Friend, God is holy and He requires His people to be holy. Did you know that the word holy is used about 100 times in the book of Leviticus? Why do you think that is? Nowadays, Christians emphasize the love of God, which is one of God, many attributes but we cannot appreciate His love and goodness until we understand His holiness. God’s holiness is a recurring theme between Exodus 15 and Revelation 15:3-4. God is the creator. He creates all; Therefore, He creates sex. His purpose in creating sex was for procreation and our enjoyment. But God also set limits for the enjoyment of sex, for our own well-being and  protection. When we go outside those boundaries, we get hurt and we enter the dangerous zone of sin.

We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 1 Corinthians 10:8 

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. Leviticus 18:22

Sexual immorality is everywhere, both visibly and hidden and the practice and acceptance of homosexuality is so great that heterosexuality seems abnormal. Often times, adults and young adults in Christian conferences around the nations have shared that they find themselves either making excuses or explaining their stands concerning abstinence in order to gain acceptance. The teenager who understands that her/his body is a temple gets picked on, alienated, and seen as weird but to an extent understandable but adults face the greatest challenges. People (even Christians) find it ridiculous that a 40-year old wants to remain pure. Biblical principles do not apply to healing and prosperity alone. All of God’s commandments are to be respected. You must know the truth about God’s rules regarding sexual immorality. The Christian needs to have knowledge (understanding) of why he/she needs to resist sexual temptation.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18

 Abstinence is God’s only recommendation when it comes to sex outside marriage. Abstinence saves lives, protects babies, control sexually transmitted diseases, abstinence is your spiritual act of worship and honors God. I cannot stress it enough: The Bible recommends total abstinence before marriage. Sex between a husband and his wife is the only form of sexual relations of which God approves. Meaning: Masturbation is sinful (any sex form of sex not between a man and a woman in a marriage is sinful). It undermines intimacy between a man and his wife. Obedience to God requires that sex be reserved to only one’s spouse. This kind of truth will make some feel uncomfortable; People get uneasy, when you start telling them that adultery, homosexuality, lust and fornication (sex outside marriage) are sinful; therefore, you are not likely to hear it at the local churches. This kind of preaching does not fill churches, arenas and stadium. People don’t celebrate truth. They do not want to hear it. Even parents are also reluctant to speak to children about sexual immorality. The devil convinces them that it is too early until one day they realize that it is actually too late.

 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Ephesians 5:3

My dear friend, strive for holiness. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. You have the Holy Spirit as your helper. You can resist sexual temptation. Don’t try to please people. Your goal is to please God. It is better to be alone than to be living in sin. If you deprive yourself of a sinful indulgence God will reward you greatly, but if you insist on sinning you will pay the regrettably terrible price of experiencing separation from God.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 1 Thessalonians 4: 3-5

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

Praise the Lord!

Whatever Happened to Holiness?

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in al you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

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As the body of Christ, you and I must understand that every sin damages the entire body; When someone in the body of Christ does something that is less than honorable, it affects us all. There has been n epidemic of misconduct in the church in recent years that ranges from sexual immorality, child abuse, molestation, incest, drunkenness, drug abuse and even divorce. Technology makes it all accessible but to be honest nothing surprises us anymore. We know from experience that Christians tend to sweep things under the rug. I know this for fact because I grew up in church. It seems easier to hide things as opposed to dealing with them, and that is most definitely not what Christ had taught us. Christ came to bring darkness to light and not the other way around.

There comes a time when you and I have to be serious about out heavenly Father's business.  We must be serious about the cause of holiness. God is Holy and He wants the body of Christ to be just like Him: holy. We cannot and should not use being human as an excuse for dwelling in sin. Christ's death forever change our sinful nature. It is your responsibility and mine to strive for holiness, and to look like our Father. We should not live our lives like the people we see in multiple reality shows. We must keep certain standards. We are the light of the world. We should be afraid to stand for core values. It bothers me a great deal when the voice of immorality is louder than holiness! Listen, were are in the world but we are not of this world. We must not follow the crowd. We must follow Christ.

I suppose Matthew 5:13-14 expresses it best: "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? can you make it salty again? You are the light of the world means you are like this house on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Whether you realize it or not people are watching you.  The world just loves it when a prominent church leader is revealed to be less than honorable. Nowadays there isn't any difference between the way Christians live and the way the world lives. Christians want to fit in. Holiness is simply not a popular topic in this "laissez faire" culture.  Some church leaders are more interested in building their own empire than building the kingdom of God. Just recently a popular televangelist revealed her sexual sin as tough it was nothing in an effort to glorify it in order to relate to mainstream and the ideology of our time. What is going on?

I think it was the prophet Malachi who said that marrying unbelieving women, divorcing the wife of one's youth, and the worship of other gods (sex, money, position, children, spouse, ect.) is an act of treachery against the whole body. Sin is never honorable. We confess sin in order to be forgiven not to minimize it. Remember, sin is bad news. It is a disobedience to God and should never be embellished or downplayed. Church cannot exhort the congregation to repentance because they are too busy leading their sinful lives oblivious to repentance. Each time that the church chooses not to call its member to repentance, the body gets hurt. The world is always observing. God is always watching. Our lives should be a testimony. Who is standing for the Lord? You and I should. It is our responsibility as believers.

Let us stand together for holiness and righteousness! Let's go back to the business of soul seeking and not membership growing and empire expanding! Let us (you and I) together make the choice to buildup the church as instructed by the lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Let us Pray!
Father how grateful I am for today's word! Thank you for sending your son to die for the forgiveness of my sins. Help me live daily in a way that is honorable and pleasing to you. Help me resist the temptations of this seductive world. My desire is to be more like every day. I honor you and I love you.  Amen.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 31

 

 

¹ In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    deliver me in your righteousness.
² Turn your ear to me,
    come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress to save me.
³ Since you are my rock and my fortress,
    for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
⁴ Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
    for you are my refuge.
⁵ Into your hands I commit my spirit;
    deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

⁶ I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
    as for me, I trust in the Lord.
⁷ I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
    for you saw my affliction
    and knew the anguish of my soul.
⁸ You have not given me into the hands of the enemy
    but have set my feet in a spacious place.

⁹ Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
    my soul and body with grief.
¹⁰ My life is consumed by anguish
    and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,^[b]
    and my bones grow weak.
¹¹ Because of all my enemies,
    I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
    those who see me on the street flee from me.
¹² I am forgotten as though I were dead;
    I have become like broken pottery.
¹³ For I hear many whispering,
    “Terror on every side!”
They conspire against me
    and plot to take my life.

¹⁴ But I trust in you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my God.”
¹⁵ My times are in your hands;
    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
    from those who pursue me.
¹⁶ Let your face shine on your servant;
    save me in your unfailing love.
¹⁷ Let me not be put to shame, Lord,
    for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
    and be silent in the realm of the dead.
¹⁸ Let their lying lips be silenced,
    for with pride and contempt
    they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

¹⁹ How abundant are the good things
    that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
    on those who take refuge in you.
²⁰ In the shelter of your presence you hide them
    from all human intrigues;
you keep them safe in your dwelling
    from accusing tongues.

²¹ Praise be to the Lord,
    for he showed me the wonders of his love
    when I was in a city under siege.
²² In my alarm I said,
    “I am cut off from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
    when I called to you for help.

²³ Love the Lord, all his faithful people!
    The Lord preserves those who are true to him,
    but the proud he pays back in full.
²⁴ Be strong and take heart,
    all you who hope in the Lord.

Submit to the Full Authority of God..........

"Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Job 22:21

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

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I have struggled with the issue of submitting my will to God most of my life. It is not easy to surrender, but after a (long) list of disobedience that ended up with predictable and devastating consequences, I have decided that God's word is true, that His will certainly is "good, pleasing, and perfect." I have come to the place where I finally understand life does not have to be so hard. I decided to live a life as a soldier of Christ. I have learned to resist certain temptations (still struggling with a few but I am winning with Christ' support). I love God and I have decided to start showing it by my way of life.

My dear friend, you can confess your love to God all day long but if you are not living a sacrificial life and start resisting temptation then how much do you really love God? You and I know that love come with certain sacrifices and you have to be willing to make them. The will of God is good and perfect for our lives. His plane is much more important than ours. To love God is to obey Him to submit to His authority. God is omniscient. He knows the plan He made for your life; therefore, there is no reason to resist. You can let Go and let God guide you.

Are you going through the same issues? Are you going in circle? No matter what you are going through today, there is a way out. Christ laid His life down so you and I can have access to the perfect will of God.

Let's pray this simple prayer: Lord, help me accept your will for my life just like you did. I want to love the will of God, embrace the will of God and live the will of God. Lord Jesus, I want to submit to the will of God no matter what the cost as you did. And Lord, I believe you have the power to make it so. I trust you to be the Good Shepherd and I know you will lead me to green pastures. Thank you. for answering my prayer. Amen!

                                 

Praise the Lord!

Submit to the Full Authority of God.............................

"Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Job 22:21

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

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I have struggled with the issue of submitting my will to God most of my life. It is not easy to surrender, but after a (long) list of disobedience that ended up with predictable and devastating consequences, I have decided that God's word is true, that His will certainly is "good, pleasing, and perfect." I have come to the place where I finally understand life does not have to be so hard. I decided to live a life as a soldier of Christ. I have learned to resist certain temptations (still struggling with a few but I am winning with Christ' support). I love God and I have decided to start showing it by my way of life.

My dear friend, you can confess your love to God all day long but if you are not living a sacrificial life and start resisting temptation then how much do you really love God? You and I know that love come with certain sacrifices and you have to be willing to make them. The will of God is good and perfect for our lives. His plane is much more important than ours. To love God is to obey Him to submit to His authority. God is omniscient. He knows the plan He made for your life; therefore, there is no reason to resist. You can let Go and let God guide you.

Are you going through the same issues? Are you going in circle? No matter what you are going through today, there is a way out. Christ laid His life down so you and I can have access to the perfect will of God.

Let's pray this simple prayer: Lord, help me accept your will for my life just like you did. I want to love the will of God, embrace the will of God and live the will of God. Lord Jesus, I want to submit to the will of God no matter what the cost as you did. And Lord, I believe you have the power to make it so. I trust you to be the Good Shepherd and I know you will lead me to green pastures. Thank you. for answering my prayer. Amen!

Praise the Lord!

Children of God Do Not Finish Last...............

We shall be the head and not the Tail..........

"God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord". 1 Corinthians 1: 9

The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Deuteronomy 28:13

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When a child gets adopted by a rich family, it does not matter where he/she comes from; he becomes an instant and accepted member of the family and gain right to the family riches. Unlike the ordinary family who can give up their children or in some cases lose the right to them, when you are saved you belong to God forever. The devil cannot take you away. Your salvation is secured. You are loved beyond measure and protected from generational curses, sickness and disease. In short, as a child of God, you have victory over sins. You have victory over your finances. You have victory over sicknesses and diseases. You have a working marriage. You have children who love and serve God. You have it all by faith. Claim it in Jesus name.

I have heard that nice guys finish last and I am telling you that isn't always the case. The children of God never finish last. We may not have have the victory here on earth. Those of us who know God understand that we are going to spend eternity with Him. It is a win-win situation. Should we live or die? It does not matter. We belong to God and one day we will be with Him. How can we finish last?

Friend, today is the day to start anew. Today is the day you change your thinking and break free from negative thinking. It is important to remember that the devils knows that your salvation is secured. He cannot take it away but he will put the pressure on to shake your faith. You must remain vigilant. You have to remind yourself that all negative situations are temporary they are opportunities to experience the glory of God. You must also remind yourself that you are more than a conqueror through Christ no matter what trick the devil is trying to pull. You must confess the Word of God often: "I shall live and not die and I can do all things through Christ" so on and so forth. Confess until your situation change. oh! it will change! There is power in the Word of God.  You in relationship/fellowship with God who is able and willing to change all situations. Praise God!

My friend, you have been broke way too long. You have been sick way too long. You have been jobless way too long. You don't have to accept the tail.  It is time to be the head! Claim your inheritance. Claim your new life. It's time to break out of your situation. Amen!

Your fellowship with God is extremely important. A partner knows what is going on. It does not mater what you see in the natural you will come through victoriously. It does not matter how you feel. It does not matter what it looks like. It does not matter what people are saying. It does not matter what family members are accusing you of this time. It does not matter what pressure the bill collectors are putting on you.  Listen, it does not even matter what your doctor is saying. You are whole. You will have healing. You will have that dream job. You will earn that degree. You will be married and I don' care if you are 40, 50, or 80 for that matter. The devil is a liar!!! You have power and dominion in Jesus holy name.


You shall be the head and not the tail!

Praise the Lord!

The Issue of Forgiveness Part #2

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6: 14-15

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I think the people of God struggle with forgiveness because they do not understand how it works. It is quite simple actually. The Bible gives clear instruction on forgiveness: Forgive in order to be forgiven. My mother used to say that the only possible answer to any of the commands of God is : "yes and amen." God says to forgive then you and I should forgive. The key is to forgive quickly and often before pain sets in our hearts. Listen, people will make mistake and people tend to hurt those they claim to love the most. I can trace back my most painful moments in life to my loved ones, and they often justify their behavior with good intentions. You and I know that good or bad intentions don't even matter when the results cause pain. Still, God instructs us to forgive. I can't even begin to tell you how often I had to forgive people around me. listen, forgiveness is easy when there is true repentance. When someone hurts and ask for forgiveness it is easy for us to do so, but when they don't ask for forgiveness or else they do ask and yet continue to hurt you, what do you do? You continue to forgive because the Bible (The living Word of God) asks us to do so. We must forgive each other even when it isn't easy. My friend remember that it is not about them but it is about God.

To forgive does not mean to be in denial and act like nothing never happened. It is okay to hold people accountable for their treatments of you. It is completely okay to walk away from toxic relationships (the kind that brings nothing but grief). It is okay to take a stand against injustice but you cannot hold any grudge. It is okay to say "I love you but we will not be talking everyday anymore." It is okay to keep a safe distance.  Forgiveness does not mean that you cannot use wisdom. Be wise when it comes to your surrounding. Surround yourself with those who have positive outlook on life. Make sure you are around people who build you up and not tear you down. It is okay to clean up. Separate yourself from those who are negative and bring nothing but pain. You can continue to love them from afar. It is okay to walk away from poisonous relationships. It is not okay to hold a grudge. Remember to release your anger and pain to God. Cultivate a pure heart. Focus on the positive. Be wise!

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
Proverbs 25:2

Praise the Lord!

The Issue of Forgiveness Part #1

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6: 14-15

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Has anyone hurt so much that you no matter how much you pray or desire to forgive you just can't forgive? The fact is that at one point or another most of us will get hurt. We are living in an imperfect world. People are insensitive, unreasonable, and bitter. They like to tear others down under false pretenses. I can see why it can be hard to forgive, and if you do not forgive you will not be forgiven. We do not have a choice. We must cultivate forgiveness. Forgive and be forgiven. There is no way around it. God wants us to forgive each other. The Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness: Luke 6: 35-38; 42, Luke 7: 47-48, John 20:22-23, Acts 2:38  Proverbs 20:22, Micah 7:18-19, Matthew 5:24, Mark 11:25, Matthew 5:44-45, Matthew 6:9-15, Matthew 26:28 to mention only a few, but my all time favorite forgiveness verse is found in Matthew 18:21: Then peter came to Jesus and asked. "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Wow! Jesus really wants to forgive. Why don't we forgive? We struggle with forgiveness because of pride, because we let our pain dictate our behavior when we should allow the word of God to dictate our way of life.  The word of God makes it clear: forgive in order to be forgiven. There is a major consequence attached to unforgiveness: God will not forgive you. If that does not scare you I do not know what else will. One way or another unforgiveness will destroy you. It is a poison. Unforgiveness is closely related to bitterness and anger and we know that they come from the devil. Remember that the devil wants to destroy you. Try not to let the devil dwells in your life. If you are having trouble with forgiveness you must bring in to the Lord in prayers.

Listen, I have personal experience with forgiveness. I know how hard it is to forgive people who try to suck the life out of you. I know what it is like to be humiliated by family members. I know what it is like to be in toxic relationships rather it is with family members or coworkers. It does not matter what others have done. You can control yourself. Choose to forgive so that you can be forgiven. I think some people do not understand forgiveness. To forgive means to not hold anger against the person who hurt you and to let it go. Do not spend anytime to dwell on the pain. Put your feeling under the control of the Holy Spirit. Remember to not forgive is a disobedience to God. So forgive quickly each and every time you are hurt.  You do not have to keep the people who hurt you in your life but you can release them. Meaning: You can still love them. You can pray for them but you can keep your distance.

 Forgiveness does not mean that you cannot use wisdom. Be wise when it comes to your surrounding. Surround yourself with those who have positive outlook on life. Make sure you are around people who build you up and not tear you down. It is okay to clean up. Separate yourself from those who are negative and bring nothing but pain. You can continue to love them from afar. It is okay to walk away from poisonous relationships. It is not okay to hold a grudge. Remember to release your anger and pain to God. Cultivate a pure heart. Focus on the positive. Be wise!

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
Proverbs 25:2

Praise the Lord!

All Things are Possible When....................

Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. Mark 9:23

But he was wounded for our transgression, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

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A few years ago, the local college where I used to teach allowed the students to watch the inaugural of president Obama in the classroom, and the common theme in my class discussions was “all things are possible if you believe”. All of a sudden, my students believe that they can now reach mountains and live a life without limitations, it is an attitude that brings me much joy; but my question to them was, all things are possible if you believe.....in what? It is great to make such powerful statement but something is definitely missing from it. Don't you think? It is not a complete sentence. The majority of the adults students stated that the missing part of the statement is "if you believe in yourself." Really if you believe in yourself? Can anyone live a minute longer, if he believes in himself? I think not. You can believe in yourself by acknowledging the magnificence of grace. The grace of God given to you through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is only through Jesus that all things are made possible. Jesus alone can provide that boost that cross us from a life of limitation to a limitless possibilities.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." John 14:1

Friend, all things are possible when you believe......in Christ and Christ alone. The doors of impossibilities can only be taken down upon His command. Jesus is Lord!

And Father how grateful we are for the blood of Christ! You love us and we know it. Thank you for guiding us, and teaching us you way. We love you, and we honor you for only you are worthy. Only you are Holy, and only you are God. Amen.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 54

Save me, O God, by your name;
    vindicate me by your might.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
    listen to the words of my mouth.

3 Arrogant foes are attacking me;
    ruthless people are trying to kill me—
    people without regard for God.[c]

4 Surely God is my help;
    the Lord is the one who sustains me.

5 Let evil recoil on those who slander me;
    in your faithfulness destroy them.

6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
    I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.
7 You have delivered me from all my troubles,
    and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Amen.

Where is the God of David?

Where is the God David Spoke about in the Psalms?

The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;  your rod and your staff they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord all my life.  Psalm 23

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I know David was not perfect. He was a murderer, but was he also a liar? Is the relationship he so eloquently describes in the psalms really possible? If so, why don't love and goodness follow me every day of my life? Is it possible that a loving father can love one child and despise another? Can God shower one child with goodness while another seems to dwell in poverty, disease ridden, and constant anguish?

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

Oh! There is no escaping faith. God will be found when we go after Him, and we cannot seek Him unless we believe in Him. To experience the kind of relationship David had with God, we must also seek God with all our hearts just like David did, and just like the Bible says. Listen, we must not allow our circumstances to dictate our relationship with God. Love Him and serve Him feverishly no matter the circumstance. Death may come. Sickness may come. We may lose a job, a car, a house with all its belongings. Friends may leave. The stock market may even crash but God will always be near when we need Him.  Invest in what's important. Friends, it is time to prioritize. “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Dear friend, the God that David spoke about so dearly is alive and well. He still reigns! He loves. He wants a relationship with you. He wants you to know Him intimately in all His glory. Trust Him no matter the situation. I know from experience that life can be challenging but do not let fear or doubt distract you. Know that God has a divine plan for you life. Let your pain be for His glory. Stand firm. 

Once I was young, and now I am old, Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. Psalm 37:25

Praise the Lord!

Living by the Word of God.........

                 

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

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Do your children believe that the most important in thing in your life is your relationship with God? Do you tell them to live a certain way and yet you live another? Surprisingly, most people do just that. They spend a life time teaching right from wrong and yet the children take the road of self-destruction. They often wonder the cause and the answer is simple: They simply do as you do and not as you say and taught. Your actions speak louder than our words. It is nice to teach your children but they learn the most by watching you. They handle situations as you do. Are you emotional, always ready to lose your temper? Are you a person who thinks before speaking or divulge everything that comes to mind? Do you pray over each and every meal or do you just dig in? There are a million little things that we do that affect our surrounding and we don't even realize. It doesn't matter how many times we tell our children not act as we do because they will most likely do it anyway.

We have a responsibility to teach our children to be good soldier of Christ. Serving God is not a grown up thing. It is not something that they would eventually grow into. It is something you need to teach them as early as possible by both your words and actions. It is the will of God. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) This tremendous forewarning and promise is for parents, prospective parents, grandparents, relatives, and anyone else who has a heart for children. It is absolutely reliable, since "all the promises of God in him are. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God" 2 Corinthians 1:20. The true and living God, who cannot lie, will keep this promise; our responsibility lies in the first word, train. But before we get to that, we must consider the way. Training also includes examples.

Be adults who put God first by your words and actions. Don't fall apart when trouble come, fall down on your knees instead. Let your children see that you believe in God's promise to take care of all of your needs. Spare your children the pain that comes with unbelief, lead them right. Spare them the hurt you experience by resisting God's will for too long. Don't let them go astray, spare them the iniquity. Be a great leader in your family and community by allowing your actions to speak louder than your words and be blessed.

Praise the Lord!

Happy Birthday Jose. P! Thank you for being a brother your siblings can really be proud of always. Thank you for leading by example.

Happy 7th. Birthday Frederic M. Davis! May the love of God remain in your heart now and forever! Auntie loves you so so  so very much.................

Psalm 33

Psalm 33

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
    it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
    he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
    the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
    their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars[a];
    he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
    let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
    he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
    he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
    the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down
    and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
    all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
    who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
    no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
    despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
    on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
    and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you.

Praise the Lord!