Ephesians 4:23

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;”

I was watching an advertisement on TV recently which showed a young lady grabbing soap and heading for the shower, and the message was, “refresh and clean yourself as you wash away your cares.” 

Although the commercial was innovative it brought about a bigger message to my spirit, the “renewal and washing clean” by the Holy Spirit, made possible by Jesus Christ through His and our Father, the great I AM.  And, Jesus telling us to lay down our burdens and cares to Him, “because He cares for us.”

Washing from the “outside” is necessary for hygienic purposes, but it does just that, washing the outside.

God washes from “the inside” and makes us clean in spirit.  He provides the hunger in our hearts to pursue Him more fervently than we previously did, when we cling to His promises, and meditate on His word, and get to know Him personally.

When we cast our cares to Him, we have a resurgence of hope and the ability to “breathe” because He is there helping us and lightening our load.

With each step of spiritual growth in accordance to His word and plans for our lives, we are enhancing our “cleanliness” in which God’s grace provides, and we are consuming a deeper and more profound use of our time here on earth.

When we walk the walk and talk the talk we are being witness to His love and promises, and being examples to all we come into contact with, whether they wish to “take root in His Word” is up to God.  We spread the seeds, God provides the water in which to make the roots grow.

Restoration, renewal, and rewards are all part of our faith and the affirmation of our love of God, but more important a proclamation of His love for us!

Delve into His word, get to know your Lord and Savior, be a part of His plan for your life, and spark the embers until they’re ablaze in a roaring fire of His consuming love.

You will never want to be away from Him once you accept Him, know Him, and fall in love with Him.

He will never leave us, nor forsake us,  He is there for us no matter what.  He wants to take away our cares and refresh us.

What an amazing God we serve.

There is truly no other love like His.

Amen!

Luke 18:9-14

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Connecting to God is crucial to those of faith; and connecting with God is tantamount to eternal rewards living with Him for all eternity.  How can we do this?

As it states in Luke 18:9-14, one prime example is to be “humble in attitude and spirit” to praise and proclaim His glory in all that we  endeavor to take on in life; through actions, words, and the trust and love we have in our heart for the Father, our God almighty. When we aspire to walk the path that is narrow, and leads to all things pertaining to Christ, we are adhering to His ways and thereby the result will inherently be “spiritual growth.”

Connecting to God through people, animals, creatures big and small, and even through an appreciation of the beauty of this planet, skies, flowers, mountains, sea, green fields, we are part of Him in all that we see and do.

When we do all things unto the LORD, we are giving Him the praise and glory that He is so worthy to receive.

When we proclaim His glory by reading and believing in His word, we are solidifying our belief and our faith grows…by hearing the word of God.

We are all part of a huge family in Christ; whether we realize it or not…we are “all” His, and He is ours.  Although, sadly there are some who don’t understand this, or choose not to believe, we still are all connected by God, through all things made.

This season of love in Christ, open up to others in ways that might seem strange, go outside your comfort zone if you feel Him knocking on your heart to do so.  This is the first step of “connecting” in deeper ways, and ways that will please Him.

He loves you…don’t you want to please Him?

Well, begin by opening up His Love letter to us.

He will show you the way, the life, and the truth. Amen.

“Hallelujah and Praise you Lord for all You are and all that you do for your children, since the beginning of time, and continue to do,  You are still in control, on the throne, and we worship You, glorify You now and always, in Jesus precious name, Amen.”

Ephesians 5:20

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving and are grateful for company, good food, and securing traditional practices of which they’re families are accustomed to.   Laughter, good cheer, and love, go hand-in-hand at the table of thanksgiving.

However, the practice of giving “thanks” should be in our daily acumen.  We should be grateful to God for all things, big and small, no matter the circumstances, no matter the outcome.  Because God, our incredible Father, loves us and wants us to be happy and prosper and have an abundance of love surrounding us, every single day of our lives.

Love.  Isn’t that the definitive message from God?  His love?

After all, He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to redeem us and save us from our sins in order to secure a seat at His banquet table in Eternity.

This day, enjoy your family, friends and each other…but don’t forget to give thanks to the HOLY ONE, the One who started it all.  The One who is with us through thick and thin.  The One who loves us beyond measure.

For those who find themselves alone this Thanksgiving…Remember, physically you may be alone…but spiritually, God is with you and will never leave you nor forsake you…ever!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

May God’s blessings shine on you this day and always, in Jesus Christ’ precious name Amen!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Chronicles 16:34 ³⁴Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 ¹Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.

When we read Joshua, there are key elements that are glaringly apparent throughout the book.  We become aware of God’s presence that energizes our work.

We become critically and keenly aware of how we must TRUST GOD, and by so doing, it means trusting Him fully because He can see beyond what we can see.  We must remember that God doesn’t require us to understand His will, but in fact…simply obey it, even it is seems unreasonable to “our mind” which is far inferior to that of our Father’s mind.

He instructs Joshua to stay in the “Word” and not to depart from His “law.”

In Joshua 1:8; the Lord states with undeniably clarity and tenacity, “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.”

He is reinforcing the importance of staying with His Word and Law, and doing what is required in order to fulfill His Will.  And, assuring us that when we do, we will be prosperous and have good success!

This was the same command He issued to future Israelite kings in Deuteronomy 17:19–he was to meditate on the Word of God every day knowledge of God’s will is crucial to doing so.  And this is so to this day.

God didn’t change.

His Word didn’t change.

His Will and Law didn’t change. (Sacrificial blood ordinance changed…Jesus Blood took care of that.)

His plans for our success and purpose didn’t change.

And, most especially…His love didn’t expire or change…He still loves all of His children.

He declared in Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

It is so easy to focus on “our problems” which we can see, and not on God, whom we can’t see.  As Joshua discovered, “God is with us no matter where we are, no matter what we are going through, and He is with us no matter how big or how small our problem are…He is with us ALWAYS.

He will never leave us nor forsake us.

He will never stop loving us.

He is a faithful and merciful God.

He will forgive us, over and over again.

Remember that Joshua knew all about adversity. He wandered in the wilderness for forty years. He was “way qualified” in the adversity department.  But, He never lost sight of the fact that God was with Him throughout it all. And when it was time for the people of God to cross the Jordan River, Joshua was named by God to take over.

When we go to Him in prayer we are trusting Him and surrendering to Him.  Understanding that God’s way is far different than ours is a vital proponent in connecting with Him on so many levels.  For although He is with us, He is far above us in all aspects, and so this is why we must surrender to His will and trust Him fully in order for Him to provide in a deeper realm, open up to Him and expose yourself entirely to His hands of mercy and Will.

Obedience is a “must” and a high priority in every believer’s life. The Holy Spirit enable us to walk obediently before God, in His strength, and His power. Amen.

Choose to obey Him, even if you don’t understand why He is asking you to do something…when we do, we can fully expect to become the person God is molding us to be, and to bear fruit that is highly favorable with the Lord almighty.

When we do all of this according to His will and purpose, you can expect to receive rewards that will overwhelm you with joy and love.

So  at times, we need to be still and know that He is God… in order to fulfill our purpose according to the Master. 

He is God.  We are His.  His will be done on earth as it is in heaven…

Be prepared, and prepare to do all that He wills in your life. Amen and Amen!

It’s apparent the Lord is with me all day long.  Sometimes, it’s stronger than other times, but the truth is, He is always there. When I get that overwhelming urge in myheart to do what’s right, or feel compelled to go the extra nine yards, He’s there. When I feel something is askew in the scales of life, He’s there to bring it back to order. When there are moments of fog and a situation is difficult to “see” He’s there to lift the “fog” and bring a crystal clear view of a prior distortion.

Sometimes God will place someone in your path to help ease a burden.  That could go either way. The person may b e there to ease your burden, or you’re there to ease theirs. Whatever the circumstances are…the Lord will place it in your heart to do according to His will.  And something happens when you conspire to do His will…an inordinate amount of peace embraces your heart and soul. Your inner self is revitalized and filled to capacity and your cup will overflow with blessings. It could be that person sitting next to you in the restaurant that looks lost and in need of a smile. You might feel God place it in your heart to do something for that individual. You’ll know what it is when you’re in the situation. And, it depends on your intimate relationship with God and His word.

God used so many different people throughout the ages to do His will. Rahab, an alleged “harlot” was used to help Joshua as she hid the men/spies  on her rooftop in Jericho.  When the king of Jericho learned the men had been to Rahab’s house, he sent orders for her to turn them over. She lied to the king’s soldiers concerning the whereabouts of the spies, and sent them off in the opposite direction. She was spared her life and that of her family because she hid them and asked for “immunity” for her family. She was spared as was her family.  (Joshua 2:1 -24 KJV)

She felt it in her heart and was lead by the Lord to provide the temporary sanctuary for Joshua’s men, and was rewarded for her loyalty.  She recognized the true God and accepted Him as her own from that point on.  She was loyal and steadfast and good in an emergency, and she had a son called Boaz who had a son named Obed,  who had a son named Jesse, who had a son named David…King David. When God wants to use someone He’ll use it for His purpose and will bring us to where He wants us to be. Just as in the case of Rehab.

God sees our heart, and only He can change our heart if so inclined. One will feel it in their hearts when God wants a certain task or action to be followed through. God sees us differently than “man” does. Man sees the outside, God sees the inside.    He sees our potential in ways that no one can, He sees what we can accomplish and ultimately see that we have no limits when it comes to the things we can do through God.

So when  a situation comes to mind that you have to attend to, and you don’t know why…God is most likely the one that placed it in your heart. He is always at work, for ALL of His children…and consequently and never stops inspiring and doing the things in which to help His children.

Stop…look…listen, and heed His messages.  You’ll realize your potential worth as a Christian…and your heart will be consumed with blessings in ways that only a person who adheres to God’s will will understand.

Do you feel a tug in your heart? 

Or a sense of urgency calling you? 

That’s God and He needs you, will you answer the call?

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119 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

² Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

³ They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

⁴ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

⁵ O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

⁶ Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

⁷ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

⁸ I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

⁹ Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

¹⁰ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

¹² Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

¹³ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

¹⁵ I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

¹⁶ I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

¹⁷ Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

¹⁸ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

²⁰ My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

²¹ Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

²² Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

²³ Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

²⁴ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.

²⁵ My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

²⁶ I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

²⁷ Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

²⁸ My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

²⁹ Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

³¹ I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame.

³² I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 

 Psalm 119:1 – 32 (KJV)