Devotion: We Be A Kingdom Worker

Once, we were asked why we chose to do what we do.  We wanted to share, just in case someone else had the same question.

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and (by) two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come (was about to go).  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.  Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.  Carry neither purse, nor scrip (bag), nor shoes (sandals): and salute (greet) no man by the way (along the road).  And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.  And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.  And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire (wages).  Go not from house to house.  And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:  and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto (near to) you.  But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on (clings to) us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto (has come near) you” (Luke 10:1-11).

Devotion: Train Your Children

Scripture tells us “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).  We kind of like the way “The Living Bible”translates this verse.

“Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older, he will remain upon it” (Proverbs 22:6 TLB).

We see here that not only are we to train up a child in the way he or she should go, but we are to teach a child to choose the right path and when the child is older, the child will not depart from that right path but will remain or stay on that path.  “The Amplified Bible” translates the passage this way:

“Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 AMP).

Devotion: Be An Encourager

Are you an encourager?  Or are you a discourager?  Most people are discouragers and do not even know that they are.  Don’t get us wrong, there are some very negative, very disgruntled, and very unhappy people in the world.  Normally, the things that they say can identify them.  But, when was the last time you checked yourself to see what kind of things you say?

“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7:20-23).

Scripture tells us that it is what comes out of us that contaminates and makes us unclean.  From inside of us, within our hearts flow evil thoughts, fornication, sexual sins, thefts, murders, adultery, covetousness, greed, wickedness, evil actions, deceit, licentiousness, unrestrained immorality, envy, reviling, insults, pride, arrogance, reckless folly, and foolishness.  All these wicked things come out from within our heart to contaminate and make us unclean.

Devotion: God Loves A Cheerful Giver

In the religious circles, when the subject of money comes up, it incites all kinds of emotions in people.  Though the passage, “the love of money is the root of all evil” (I Timothy 6:10) is guaranteed to be mentioned in the conversation, it is the misinterpretation and misapplication of this passage that creates the most controversy.  Many believers do not believe that man should prosper financially or have wealth because it goes against the teachings of Jesus.  Based on the story surrounding his statement, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24), many have interpreted this passage to mean that a person with riches cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  So, the belief is that God is against his children having money.  Those familiar with the story of the young rich man (Matthew 19:16-22), saw Jesus tell the man to “go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor” (Matthew 19:21).  Most do not make the connection between when Jesus told the young rich man to give and when he tells us to give, especially when giving to the poor.

The Project: "The Truth Tree"

 

THE TRUTH TREE

The Truth Tree:  ...finding truth amidst the distractions.  ...establishing strong roots based on undeniable truths.

Would you like to establish a better relationship with God?  Would you like to enhance your Christian walk?  Would you like to understand the truth about the scriptures that God has given you?  Would you like to comprehend the truth of the scriptures that comes from a higher level of perception, a higher level of discernment, and a higher level of understanding?

This book was written to help you answer these questions and many, many more.  This book will help open your mind that you might understand, help open your spiritual eyes that you might see, and help open your spiritual ears, that you might hear (Matthew 13:9-16).  “The Truth Tree” will help you do that.

Available for purchase on Amazon in Kindle $9.99 and Paperback $19.99 formats.  Order your copy today!!!

Devotion: Bad News

Every day is a battle.  No, we are not talking about a physical battle of sorts, but a mental battle, where we are constantly bombarded with information.  Known as “news” to many, this information, produced by “news outlets,” can be good, positive, or productive in its nature or it can be bad, negative, and counter-productive depending on the source.  We know most of you see the availability of this information, this “so-called news” as a positive thing because it allows you to stay informed as to the important things that are happening in the world.  Now we have devices that enables us to be connected to the news sources every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day, in every corner of the world through what is called “news feeds.”  We can even tailor these “news feeds” so that we can constantly have an ear tuned in to the things that we are most interested in and eliminate or skip over those things that do not interest us.  However, the truth of the matter is that all of this kind of information, this “so-called news” from these “news feeds” is actually bad, negative, and counter-productive.  They actually take away more than they give.  Why do we call the “so-called news” from these “news feeds” bad, negative, and counter-productive?

The “news outlets” specifically cater the information they send over their “news feeds” with one purpose in mind.  They want to keep us engaged in their programing so that we keep coming back.  What an interesting word “programing.”  The word “program” means “to set, regulate, or modify so as to produce a specific response or reaction.”  It also means “to cause to absorb or incorporate automatic responses, attitudes, or the like; to condition.”  The “news outlets” set, regulate, modify, and design this “so-called news” so that it, the information itself, will produce a specific response or reaction in us and from us.  Again, the intent of the “news feeds” is to keep our mind engaged in the “news outlets” programing.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).

When we follow the behavior of the world, we become like others in the world.  Our thoughts are like the thoughts of the world.  Our actions and reactions are like the actions and reactions of the world.  This is why the scriptures tell us not to be conformed to the patterns of this world and not to copy the behavior and customs of this world.  We are instead to be transformed from all of these things by the renewing of our minds.  When we renew our mind, we change the way we think.  We change the way we think through the word of God.

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.  For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:20:21).

God tells us to pay attention to what he says and to not let his words depart from our eyes.  He tells us to listen carefully to his words and to keep them in the midst of our heart.  This is not something that a person who is being programed by the “news outlets” tends to do.  Since the “news feeds” seldom carry anything that pertains to the goodness of God, the mercy of God, or the grace of God, much less the word of God, then it is impossible to attend to God’s word or to his sayings.  Without attending to God’s word, then we do not change our way of thinking.  Without changing our thinking, we are never transformed; instead, we conform by the programing of the “news outlets.”  This programing will never allow us to learn and know God’s will for us.  It will never allow us to, by experience, have knowledge of the good, pleasing, and complete purpose and/or will of God.  This programming will cause us to lose sight of the word of God and it will never allow God’s word to penetrate deep into our heart.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

God will keep them in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him and whose thoughts turn often to him.  The “news outlets,” on the other hand have specifically program the “so-called news” that is piped through these “news feeds” to keep our mind engaged in their programing and not engaged in the things of God.  Therefore, transform yourself by the renewing of your mind that you may, by experience, have knowledge of the God’s good news and not the bad, negative, and counter-productive news of the world.  Now that you know the truth, which “news feeds” will you choose to listen to?

We forever pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Be Heaven’s Ambassador

Do you know that you are “an ambassador?”  Most people do not realize that they themselves are in fact “ambassadors.”

According to the Merriam- Webster Dictionary, “an ambassador” is

“a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.”

Basically, “an ambassador” is “an authorized representative or messenger.”

“Don’t you realize that you can choose your own master?  You can choose sin (with death) or else obedience (with acquittal).  The one to whom you offer yourself—he will take you and be your master, and you will be his slave” (Romans 6:16 TLB).

Non-believers believe that since they have not formally committed to following God and do not subscribe to any form of religious authority or religious belief system, they see their non-belief as being “independent free-moral agents,” not representing anyone or anything.  They believe they are working independently of any commitments or obligations to any supreme or governing entity but we see from this passage that this is not exactly the truth.  According to this scripture, the one to whom we choose to be our master is the one to whom we become a slave or “an ambassador.”  For the non-believer, because they have made the conscious choice not to serve God, have unknowingly chosen to become slaves to sin and are “ambassadors” to principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world, which includes the master puppeteer, Satan.  For the believer, because they have made the conscious choice to serve God and follow Christ, have  chosen to become slaves of righteousness and are its “ambassadors.”

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:17-20 TLB).

Through what Christ did on the cross, God made peace and brought us back to himself.  And in doing this, God gave us “the ministry of reconciliation,” entrusting us with his message of reconciliation.  But this honor of preaching this news of peace belongs to those who are in Christ.  Those who are in Christ be a new creature, a new creation if you will.  Remember, it was through his death that Jesus took two groups (Jew and Gentile) and made them part of himself.  And in making them a part of himself, Jesus was able to fuse the two together into a new creation, into a new man.  It is this new creation, this new man that are “the ambassadors for Christ, his representatives.”  God uses this “new man” to urge others to come into his favor, to be at peace with him, and to be reconciled to him.

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (II Corinthians 6:1).  “For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building” (I Corinthians 3:9).

We are God’s coworkers, workers together with God.  We are God’s partners, working side by side with God.  We are “the authorized representatives or messengers” of God.  We be “Heaven’s Ambassadors,” ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation, preaching the news of peace, urging others to come into God’s favor, to be at peace with him, and to be reconciled to God.  The question that you have to ask yourself is “Am I good ambassador or am I bad ambassador?”

We trust that today’s inspirational message will give you a new perspective on your role of being “Heaven’s Ambassador.”  We pray that this message will bless you, as well as inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If you are blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: You Are Not A Failure

Do you ever feel like you are a failure or think of yourself as a failure?  What if we were to tell you that you are not a failure, would you believe us?  Well, let us tell you just that, you are not a failure.  And you should believe us.  Just because you think your lifestyle may be less than what it should be or you think your past may be less than respectable or even unredeemable, you are not a failure.  Just because you think your family situation may be less than ideal or even if you have been through a divorce, you are not a failure.  Just because you think your financial situation is not be headed in the direction you think it should or even if you have filed for bankruptcy, you are not a failure.  Just because society may have deemed you a failure, God does not see you as a failure.

Failure is considered “to be a lack of success.”  We want you to know that “God want you to succeed and not fail.”  You were not created for failure, no matter what has happened to you in your past, what is happening to you right now, or what you expect to happen in the not too distant future.  God wants you to know that he loves you like no one else can.  And because of this love, God wants to you be successful in this life.

“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 NIV).

God has a plan for you, a plan for good and not evil.  God has a plan to prosper you and not harm you.  God has a plan to give you hope and a future.  God has all of this planned for you but there is a part that you have to play in all of this.

“We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.  People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.  Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16 NLT).

Yes, we make plans all the time and think that what we are doing is always the right thing.  In our eyes, those things appear to be the right thing, but this is not the case when it comes to God.  God always looks at our motives.  If we want our plans to succeed, we have to commit our actions to the Lord.  And once committed, he will always give us the right answers for our plans to succeed.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).  “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works and to do good things.  God planned for us to walk in these good works and in good things as the way to live our lives.  When we commit our actions to God, we can be confident, that the one who began a good work in us will continue that good work until the day of Christ Jesus.  Because God sees our potential, he does not consider us a failure.  Now, we need to see our potential.  Now maybe you will believe us when we say, “you are not a failure.”  God does not see you as a failure and neither should you.

May today’s inspirational message abundantly bless you and greatly inform you.  We pray that you will be the better for having read this message.  If blessed by today’s message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Put God First

Most of us claim to love God and put him first in our heart, or at least this is what we believe to be true.

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:26-38).

Jesus tells us that loving God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind is the first and the greatest commandment.  But did you know that you could love God with all of these things, your heart, your soul, and your mind, and still not put God first in your heart?  Yes, it is truly possible to do both.  So many believers love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, yet God does not have first place in their life.  We find the reason for this explained in “The Parable Of The Sower.”

“And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, ‘Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.  And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: but when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.  And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred’” (Mark 4:2-8).

The sower sows seed, which according to scripture is “the word of God” (Mark 4:14), into the hearts of the believer, who faithfully receive it, but then they “allow the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things to enter in their heart” (Mark 4:19).  It is these things that believers tend to give first place to in their hearts instead of the things of God.  It happens day in and day out.  This does not mean that these people love God any less or are doing sinful things; it just means that they have focused their attention on other things and have no longer put God first in their hearts, so the word of God is choked from their hearts.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).  “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).  “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

Instead of “keeping our mind stayed upon God, which will keep us in perfect peace,” as is stated in scripture, we keep our mind stayed upon the things of the world, the things that everyday living brings about.  We focus our attention on family, friends, and work, in no particular order and tend to put God “on the back burner or in the back seat.”  We tend to think about this situation and that situation going on in our life, we focus on this tragedy and that tragedy, and we get caught up in this daily struggle and that daily struggle, eventually meditating on these things day and night, which ultimately produces doubt, fear, discouragement, and unbelief.  These are the things that we now give first place and because we think on these things in our heart.  These are the things that we become because “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”  We become depressed become we think on depressing things.  We are fearful, because we think on fearful things.  We are discouraged because we think on discouraging things.  We have doubt and unbelief because we allow them to come into our hearts and then we think on them, “for out of the heart come the issues of life and it determines the course of your life.”

“And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.  Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others.  Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about” (Philippians 4:8).  “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT).

Finally, we are to think on these things instead, those things that are true, honorable, right and just.  We should think on those things that are pure, lovely, admirable, and are of good report.  Think on those things of virtue, things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  And about all, think on those things that you can praise God for and give praise to God for them.  We are to seek first the kingdom of God, putting his work first, above all other things that we may do.  We are to live righteous, doing all that God wants us to do.  And when we have done these things, all of the other things will be ours as well, for God will give us everything else we need.  When we think on these things and seek first the kingdom of God, we put God first in our heart, we keep our mind stayed on him, and we guard our heart with all diligence, which keeps us in perfect peace.

We pray that today’s inspirational message will give you a new perspective on what it means to “put God first.”  We also pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Make Prayer A Habit

Prayer is what we use to communicate with God.  Prayer is not a monologue, where we are the only ones speaking and God is doing all the listening.  No, this is not all there is to prayer.  There is a lot more to this form of communication than that.  Prayer is actually a conversation that we have between our heart and God.  It is not just a one-way conversation where we do all the talking.  Prayer with God should be like having a conversation with your mother, with your father, with your brother, with your sister, or even with your best friend.  We should be able to communicate with God in a similar way.

Recently, we mentioned that there was a “right way” and a “wrong way” to pray.  In that commentary, we also mentioned that for us to enjoy the benefits of prayer, we needed to learn how to pray.  Besides learning how to communicate with God, we need to learn to allow God to speak to us.  We also need to learn to listen to God as we allow him to minister to us.  Bottom line, we need to learn how to pray.

Learning to pray is a lot like learning to ride a bicycle, learning to drive a car, learning to use a computer or any other thing that we have learned to do in our lifetime.  Through practice and routinely performing the task, we have learned to become proficient at those tasks.  It is the same with prayer; we have to develop our prayer life so that we can become proficient in it.  We have to learn so that it, prayer, becomes a habit for us.

“Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:17-18).

We are told to pray without ceasing.  Keep in mind that prayer is just a conversation between God and us, so basically God is telling us to “communicate with him without ceasing.”  God is telling us that we should not cease to be in constant contact with him, constantly having a conversation with him.

We should never face the day until we have faced God in prayer.  In the same token, we should never end the day until we have done the same, faced God in prayer.  Throughout the day we should do the same thing, face God in prayer.  Before we attempt to do anything, we should pray or communicate with God.  Can you see the theme here?  We should be in constant contact with God, having a conversation with God, constantly facing God in prayer.  Scripture tells us to “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12 NIV).  Prayer should always be our first response to everything and never used as our last resort because we have become desperate and run out of options.  We should devote ourselves to prayer and to being in constant communication with God.  And do not forget to talk to God with a sense or an attitude of thanksgiving, because in everything we are to give thanks.  We should never underestimate the power of prayer, especially when we do it the way God wants us to do it.  Cease not to pray.  Cease not to constantly communicate with God.  Pray without ceasing.  Make prayer a habit

As always, we pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Be A Minister

Most believers are familiar with “The Great Commission.”  These were a set of instructions given to the disciples by Jesus Christ.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Jesus gave these instructions shortly before he ascended to heaven to “sit at the right hand of the Father” (Acts 2:33-34).  These instructions basically told his disciples, which now includes all “those who have love one to another” (John 8:35) to go forth and to make disciples in all nations, teaching them “to observe all things whatsoever and to obey all the commands” that he, Jesus had given them.  Some of you do not feel that you are qualified and will not answer the call.  But if that be the case, then listen to these words of Paul.

“For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel; and even my preaching sounds poor, for I do not fill my sermons with profound words and high-sounding ideas, for fear of diluting the mighty power there is in the simple message of the cross of Christ.  I know very well how foolish it sounds to those who are lost, when they hear that Jesus died to save them.  But we who are saved recognize this message as the very power of God.  For God says, ‘I will destroy all human plans of salvation no matter how wise they seem to be, and ignore the best ideas of men, even the most brilliant of them.’

So what about these wise men, these scholars, these brilliant debaters of this world’s great affairs?  God has made them all look foolish and shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense.  For God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find God through human brilliance, and then he stepped in and saved all those who believed his message, which the world calls foolish and silly.  It seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven as proof that what is preached is true; and it is foolish to the Gentiles because they believe only what agrees with their philosophy and seems wise to them.  So when we preach about Christ dying to save them, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.  But God has opened the eyes of those called to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, to see that Christ is the mighty power of God to save them; Christ himself is the center of God’s wise plan for their salvation.  This so-called ‘foolish’ plan of God is far wiser than the wisest plan of the wisest man, and God in his weakness—Christ dying on the cross—is far stronger than any man.

Notice among yourselves, dear brothers, that few of you who follow Christ have big names or power or wealth.  Instead, God has deliberately chosen to use ideas the world considers foolish and of little worth in order to shame those people considered by the world as wise and great.  He has chosen a plan despised by the world, counted as nothing at all, and used it to bring down to nothing those the world considers great, so that no one anywhere can ever brag in the presence of God.  For it is from God alone that you have your life through Christ Jesus.  He showed us God’s plan of salvation; he was the one who made us acceptable to God; he made us pure and holy and gave himself to purchase our salvation.  As it says in the Scriptures, “If anyone is going to boast, let him boast only of what the Lord has done” (I Corinthians 1:17-31 TLB).

Regardless of what you think, whether you think yourself to be a minister or not, the truth of the matter is that your life is a ministry.  Understand and recognize that the most powerful sermon in existence is you.  Your sermon is not only what you say, but it is also about what you do.  People are always watching you, whether you know it or not.  They are looking to see if you are who or what you claim to be.  J. C. Ryle was once quoted as having said, “A Christian is a walking sermon.  They preach far more than a minister does.  For they preach all week long.”  Scripture tells us “We are Christ’s ambassadors” (II Corinthians 5:20).  God is using those of us who are willing to minister, to spread the gospel to those who are unbelievers.  It would appear that God does not call those who are most qualified, but he certainly does qualify those who answers his call.  So, we leave you with this question, “Is your ministry leading others to God or is it leading them astray?”  You be a minister, whether you know it or not.

We forever pray that this inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW

Devotion: God's Word Is Vital

All things are important when it comes to the things of God, no matter how trivial they may appear to be.  There is so much information to tell, so much information to share, and still so much more information to find.  So much so that unless you get all the information at one time, a lot of it gets lost in the interim.  The Bible is a mystery book with many secrets, hidden in plain sight just waiting to be found.  The Bible appears to hold a double meaning when read, one by which you can find truth and understanding about the things of God and one that just seems to leave you confused about and unable to grasp the meaning of the things of God.  Are you one who has a clear understanding or one who is just downright confused?  Guess what?  This is why God has told us to seek wisdom and know-how.  This is why we need to get understanding, get the ability to use good sense in our thinking, in our judgment, and in our actions, and get the ability to perceive and to explain the meaning or nature of things.  Because once we have these things, then revelation knowledge will come, and we will no longer be confused.

There are answers for everyone in the Bible but many of us take the things that we read at face value, which means that when we do read the Bible with our limited knowledge of the workings of God, we believe that the way things appear to be is the way things really are, without ever thinking about what else they could mean.  And even in that, we will accept only those things, which fit into our belief system.  We have not taken the time to truly seek God, to truly find out what he is trying to tell us, or to truly find the meaning of the scriptures that they read.  God tells us to study to show thyself approved unto God so that we can rightly divide the word of truth (II Timothy 2:15), but most of us do not adhere to this command to study.  God tells us to study to show ourselves approved unto him, so that we can rightly divide the word of truth.  So, what do you think this word of truth is?  Could it be the Bible?  Could God be telling us to study the Bible so that we can rightly divide it?  And if the Bible is the word of truth, then how does one rightly divide something that is supposed to be truth?

The word of truth is given to tell us what to believe (for doctrine), what is wrong (for reproof), how to correct wrong (for correction), how to live (for instruction in righteousness).  We are to rely on the word of truth because it includes everything needed to grow in maturity, to be perfect (meaning proficient or capable), and to do what God wants (II Timothy 3:16-17).  The idea that we are to attend to his words holds little meaning for some because they believe that just carrying a Bible with them fits the commandment.  How so very wrong they are.  When we attend to his words, we learn that they are life unto those that find them (Proverbs 4:20-22), which means that God’s words are full, abundant life unto those that hunt for, look for, or seek those words.  God wants us to attend to his words, which means that we need to listen carefully to his words and we need to pay close attention to what is being said.  When was the last time you intently studied the word of truth?  Is it time to start?

This means that there must be more to knowing God then just opening the Bible, reading a few verses or so, and coming out believing that you are knowledgeable about the things of God.  Matter of fact, God tells us to immerse ourselves in his word.  He tells us that we must hunt for, look for, and seek the answers that he has provided us through his instruction manual.  But in order for us to do this, we have to open our mind, we have to open our heart, and we have to seek the wisdom of God so that we may see the truth.  This truth that we are talking about is the truth that God has been trying to reveal to us for many years.  This might mean that you will have to pick that Bible up, open it, and do a little more than just read it.  You may have to dissect it.

If you remember, God told us to study so that we can rightly divide the word of truth.  We would imagine that if we truly immerse ourselves in his word, while we hunted for, looked for, and sought the answers that he has provided for us through his instruction manual, that we would eventually be knowledgeable about the things of God.  So, until we do, we guess we will just be . . .

As always, we pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: The Weapon Of The Spirit

We now know that there is a battle going on in our mind for the control of our soul.  We also now know that our enemy comes from the spirit realm.

“For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).  “For though we walk (live) in the flesh (in this body), we do not war (fight) after (according to) the flesh (human standards) (II Corinthians 10:3).

Although we live in this world in the flesh, we do not engage in war according to the flesh, as the world does.  We do not wrestle against people made of flesh and blood.  While it appears that our encounters are mostly with people, things are not always as they appear to be.  In this war, we wrestle against persons without bodies.  We battle against the evil rulers of the spirit realm.  That’s right; we battle against the mighty satanic beings, against the great evil princes of darkness, and against the wicked spirits of this unseen world.  This battle takes place in the arena of our mind for the control of our soul.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full” (II Corinthians 10:3-6 WET).

Therefore, the weaponry of our warfare cannot be that of conventional human weapons.  No, we must use spiritual weaponry, weapons provided to us by God.  These mighty weapons are designed to knock down and overthrow the enemy’s strongholds.  When used properly, these mighty weapons can cast down every proud argument against God.  These mighty weapons can pull down every high thing that promotes itself against the knowledge of God.  These mighty weapons can bring into captivity every thought, every idea, and every suggestion that comes into your mind.  These weapons can bring into compliance your mind with the mind of Christ.  Keep in mind that these battles take place in our mind.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).  “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:13-17).

Through all of this, we are to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.  Then we are to put on the whole armor of God so that we will be able to stand against all of the wiles of the devil.  We are to put on truth, the true word, to put on righteousness; to fit ourselves with the gospel of peace; and above all, we are to take with us faith, to take with us salvation, and to take with us the word of God.  Having put on all of these things, we are to stand, for then we will be able to stand against all enemies, to withstand all attacks, and quench every fiery dart of the devil.  When we use “God’s instruments of war,” we can stand against the tricks of the devil, we can keep our position against all of his deceits, and we can eventually win the war.

We hope that today’s inspirational message will allow you to see who our true enemy is and give you a new perspective on the real war that we are fighting.  We pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW

Devotion: God's Mercy

One night, after Solomon had finished building the temple where God would choose as the place of sacrifice, God appeared to Solomon and said:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).

God went on to tell Solomon that if the people, which are called by his name, would humble themselves and pray, search for him, seeking his face, and turn from their evil wicked ways, he would hear them from heaven and would forgive them of their sins.  He would also heal their land.  This appears to be a reoccurring theme with God.

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1-2).

John the Baptist preached in the wilderness and taught that all should be baptized as a sign that they had chosen to repent, that is, choosing to turn their back on sin and turn to God so that he could forgive them of their sins.

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

Jesus also preached a very similar message of repentance, instructing all he encountered to turn from their sins and to turn to God so that he could forgive them of their sins.  Jesus was once quoted as saying to the scribes and Pharisees, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17).

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

Even Peter, who had the opportunity to speak to the crowd after healing the crippled man who sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple, told them to repent, to change their mind and attitude toward God, to turn away from their sins and turn to God so that he could cleanse away their sins.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

Therefore, humble yourself in the sight of God and he will lift you up.  As you give yourself humbly to God, draw close to him and he will draw close to you.  God wants you to turn from your evil wicked ways and to turn to him.  God has been so patiently waiting for you, without punishment, for you to repent or to change your way of thinking about sin and seek him so that he can forgive you of your sins.  God’s kindness and his goodness are meant to lead you to repentance (Romans 2:4).  This is “God’s mercy” in action, at its best.  But do not be deceived, for justice, judgment, and condemnation will come to all who choose to continue in their evil wicked ways and refuse to repent or change their thinking about their sins.

We pray this inspirational message will give you a new perspective on what is meant by “God’s mercy.”  We also pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: What Is The Devil's Authority?

The devil’s infiltration into the Church may be a surprise to some, but it really should not be.  We know from scripture that even “Satan himself can masquerade around as an angel of light” (II Corinthians 11:14).  We also know from scripture that even “his ministers can be transformed into ministers of righteousness” (II Corinthians 11:15).  We know that the devil’s only purpose, since the beginning, has been “to deceive mankind” (John 8:44).  What better opportunity could the devil possibly have to deceive the masses than to alter the very thing so many believers use?  The devil’s craftiness and deceitful nature is first depicted during the fall of mankind (Genesis 3:1-13).  At that time, he was able to alter what God had said in the mind of Eve (II Corinthians 11:3), what makes you think he cannot do the same today?  We all have been taught that the devil knows the Bible, so not to consider this possibility may prove to be detrimental.  However, there are a few very important things that he is missing; “understanding for one.”

Yes, it be true that the devil does know the Bible.  How else could he perfectly misquote it?  If the devil’s misquotes did not sound so god-like, then no one would accept them or be fooled by them.  And boy, do we accept his misquotes; and are we so fooled by them.  Just look at the so-called Christian religion itself, for example.  We are supposed to be of “one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God” (Ephesians 4:4-6), yet this is not the case.  We have been so divided over the years that once upon a time we killed each other over our differences.  Those same differences have created numerous denominations, where each one claims to have a direct line to God himself.  We claim to worship the same God, follow the same Jesus, and be touched by the same Holy Spirit, yet our beliefs are so different.  And while we tolerate each other, our pride does not allow us to come together as one.  The statement, “That’s not how we do things here” instantly blocks any attempts at unification.  But aren’t we supposed to be a body of like-minded people with one common purpose and one common goal?  Apparently, we missed that point.  Somewhere along the way, we allowed the devil to infiltrate the one body and divide it.  And he has used God-like words to do it; imagine that.

“And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.  No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil (plunder) his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house” (Mark 3:23-27).

Surprisingly, we may all be in the same body of water, the ocean of Christianity, but we are definitely not all in the same boat going in the same direction.  If our house, the so-called body of Christ is this divided, then it should be no surprise to anyone as to why we cannot stand together as one, against the devil and all of the evils in this world.  So how do we fix this problem?  How do we unify the body of Christ?

Scriptures tells us “he who ascended up on high, leading captivity captive, gave gifts to men” (Ephesians 4:8).  Scripture tells us he who ascended up on high gave these gifts to men for three specific reasons.  One of the reasons for the gifts was for “the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).  The other reasons were for “the perfecting or equipping of the saints” and “for the work of the ministry.”  But it is the purpose for these gifts that we are most drawn to.  The purpose for the gifts is so that “we all come in unity or in agreement about the faith and about our knowledge of the son of God” (Ephesians 4:13).  And once we arrive in unity, then and only then “will we no longer be tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).  No longer will we change our minds about what we believe because someone has cleverly lied, making the lies sound like truth.  No longer will we be a house divided.  Instead, we will follow the truth because we will know the truth, “speaking truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).  By then, we will all have become full-grown, mature men, to a point of “being full with Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

It would stand to reason that until we unify this body of Christ, the devil and his minions will continue doing what they do best.  It would also make sense that until we unify this body of Christ, the body, as a whole, cannot be victorious.  As long as we allow the devil and minions to be a part of the body and keep it divided, we have little hope for unification.  So, seek the truth about the faith and about our knowledge of the son of God so that you be no longer tossed about by or with every wind of doctrine because someone has cleverly lied, making the lies sound like truth.  Stop allowing the devil to alter what God has said, which he has been doing since the first encounter with mankind.  Remember, the devil knows the Bible, probably better than we give him credit.

As always, we pray that today’s inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Be A Giver

We have had several discussions about prosperity over the past few months.  We know that scriptures say, “for it is he (God) that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant” (Deuteronomy 8:18).  While the passage makes it abundantly clear that prosperity is truly of God, it also appears to state the purpose, the reason God gives his children this ability to get wealth or as some have put it, to get rich.  We know that most of the time, the prosperity message is taught as a means for an individual to increase one’s own self.  But, while this may be man’s purpose for striving to achieve wealth, it is not God’s purpose for giving us the ability to get this wealth.

God’s purpose or reason for prosperity is to not to increase someone so that person can get more things for him or herself.  No, God needs us to help him establish his covenant.  God needs us to help him fulfill his promise to our ancestors.  God’s purpose or reason for the prosperity is to increase someone so that person can be a blessing to others.  God needs us to give, so that we can be a blessing, so that we can be his blessing to others.

God may have been able to rain manna from the sky for the children of Israel while they were in the desert (Psalm 78:24), but when it comes to money, it is a completely different story.  God cannot manufacture currency and have it rain down from heaven to help those in need.  For one, it is illegal to manufacture currency.  Then, imagine what an influx of counterfeit money would do to the financial stability of a country or even the world’s financial stage; it would be catastrophic.  Therefore, God has instituted a system, where he uses the wealth that he gives his child the ability to get, to provide for those children who have need in the kingdom.  This is the covenant God made with our ancestors, and he uses his children to help him establish it.

So maybe now you can see the truth about prosperity.  God is not against prosperity or against you having financial prosperity as long as you remember the reason for your prosperity, to be a giver.  God wants you to be a giver, so that you become a blessing to those that need God’s blessings.  You are all God has to do this.  You should live to give and not live to get.  We know that this goes against all that the world’s financial system has taught you, but you need to get plugged into God financial system.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).

Having money will only amplify that which is already in someone’s heart.  If a person has a heart for selfishness, then having money will only intensify that selfish desire.  But, if someone has a heart for giving, the money will make stronger that desire to give.  When a person has the heart of a giver, they understand that what they give returns to them, in full and overflowing measure, pressed down and shaken together to make room for more, and running over.  Please note that it is man, who will give into the giver’s bosom and not God.  The person understands that with what measure they use to give is the same that men will use to give back.  The person understands that they have been entrusted to watch over what they already know, belongs to God.  This person understands the true purpose, the true reason for the prosperity.  The person understands that everything belongs to God; the earth and everything in it and all of the inhabitants belong to God (Psalm 24:1).  This person knows that no man has ever taken any of what they claims belong to them, with them when they left this earth.  If any of it were theirs, you would think that they would be able to take it with them.  It has not happened yet.

Once again, we know that our commentary will not settle this long-running debate.  However, we do pray that our commentary just might offer a clearer understanding of the true purpose for the prosperity.  As we always do, we pray that you will be abundantly blessed, greatly informed, and that you will be the better for having read the message.  If you are blessed by this message, please share it with others so that they may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Meeting Together

Did you know that God is not calling us to go to church?  Actually, he is calling us to be his church.  He wants us to be the hope of the world.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT).

Known as “The Great Commission,” Jesus commanded his disciples to go and teach or make disciples of all nations.  He commanded that these new disciples be taught to observe all things whatsoever or to obey all the commands Jesus had given to his own disciples.  But what exactly is a disciple?  A disciple is not only a believer or a follower, but a disciple is more importantly a student and a pupil.  A disciple is a person who has been trained.  You cannot make disciples without some type of teaching.  And yes, there is a difference between preaching to someone and teaching someone.  Preaching proclaims the gospel where teaching explains the gospel.

This is not to say that there is no place for the preaching of the gospel, but preaching alone does not make disciples.  For example, preaching can proclaim the good news of salvation and can convert sinners into “born-again believers,” but what about afterwards?  What happens to the “born-again believer” once they have been saved or converted?

A person who is “born-again” should reflect or be like Christ, but not everyone who claims to be “born-again” is able to do so.  They more than likely continue to live a lifestyle that is contrary to being Christ-like mainly because they have not been taught that Christ-like lifestyle.  Scripture tells us “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17) and when that word comes in the form of a salvation message, then salvation is all that person will have faith for.

We fully understand that a person’s own evil desires play an important part in his or her lifestyle choices, but when the person is not taught to observe all things whatsoever or to obey all that Jesus commanded, then that person’s life tends to be run by the previous doctrines he or she used before becoming “born-again.”  This is why there is this emphasis on teaching others to become disciples and not just “born-again believers” or “new converts.”

For the true disciple of Christ, he or she will have the tools needed to live a Christ-like lifestyle, but it would be entirely different for “a new convert.”  A true disciple would have the faith to put God first, above everyone and everything else where “a new convert” may be in that growing stage where he or she is trying to find the true path to Christ.  Without the proper guidance, “a new convert” may stumble upon the wrong path going in the wrong direction or even resort back to old habits.  Most people are struggling with the hell they live in on this earth and are trying to find a way to overcome their situation.  And though the salvation message will make them feel good for a moment, it does nothing for the long haul to show them what to do after salvation.

Making new converts true disciples will help them to be more Christ-like in their actions and in their lifestyle choices.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever or to obey all the commands of Jesus will give them the tools they need to teach others to become disciples and not just new converts who are left to find their own way.

There is a lot more to being a disciple than what we have stated here.  This was just a short introduction for those who have that ear to hear and want to obey “The Great Commission,” where they go and make disciples of all nations, teaching “born-again believers” to observe all things whatsoever and to obey all the commands of Jesus Christ.  You first must become a true disciple yourself; you must become a student and a pupil of the teachings of Christ.  God is not calling us to go to church; he is calling us to be his church.

We forever pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW