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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Cursed By Blessings?

Most people strive to be successful in life.  The world’s definition of “success” is “the achievement of something you planned or attempted to do; the gaining of fame or prosperity.”  Most people work hard to achieve a certain level of success or status in life.  Some work hard to acquire houses in particular communities or neighborhoods and to acquire particular kinds of automobiles so that others can see their success.  Some work hard to gain prominence and to live a certain kind of lifestyle so that others can make note of their success.  Others work hard to gain fame and/or prosperity so that others can admire their success.

However, having these things does not automatically make a person a success.  The world tends to judge success based on the possessions that a person has, but quite often, these particular possessions are examples of “bad success.”  Yes, that is right.  A person can have all of these things in their life and still have “success,” but that success will be bad.  “Bad success” is “when the achievement of something you planned or attempted to do results in a loss.”

“God, in his kindness, has taught me how to be an expert builder.  I have laid the foundation and Apollos has built on it.  But he who builds on the foundation must be very careful.  And no one can ever lay any other real foundation than that one we already have—Jesus Christ.  But there are various kinds of materials that can be used to build on that foundation.  Some use gold and silver and jewels; and some build with sticks and hay or even straw!  There is going to come a time of testing at Christ’s Judgment Day to see what kind of material each builder has used.  Everyone’s work will be put through the fire so that all can see whether or not it keeps its value, and what was really accomplished.  Then every workman who has built on the foundation with the right materials, and whose work still stands, will get his pay.  But if the house he has built burns up, he will have a great loss.  He himself will be saved, but like a man escaping through a wall of flames” (I Corinthians 3:10-15 TLB).

As we go through life, we are either building with gold, silver, jewels, sticks, hay, or straw.  Not everyone builds with gold, silver, or jewels as not everyone builds with sticks, hay, or straw.  Each of us actually chooses the various kinds of materials that we use in our work.  But understand this point, in the end, God is going to put a fire to what we have built and that fire will test our work to determine what sort of work it is.  The one who built of the right materials and whose work stands the test will get paid.  But the one who built of the wrong materials and whose work fails the test will suffer a great loss.  Please note that this passage is not talking about some type of judgment, rejection, or punishment.  The one who builds of the wrong material will suffer loss, but he himself or she herself will be saved, similar to a person escaping through a wall of flame; neither the sticks, hay, or straw will escape with them.

The key to having “good success” rest in being in the center of God’s will.  The key to being in the center of God’s will is to meditate on his book of instructions day and night, studying it continually, so as to be sure that we observe to do and obey all that is written in it, for only then will we make our way prosperous and have “good success” (Joshua 1:8).  God tells us that he knows the plans he has for us; plans for good and not evil, plans to give us a future and to give is hope (Jeremiah 29:11).  There is nothing on this earth that can satisfy us like knowing that we are in the center of God’s will.  Knowing that we are where God wants us to be will bring pure joy.

Scripture tells us, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).  However, not being in the center of God’s will brings about a feeling of dissatisfaction, feeling like one is going nowhere.  This is what happens when we do things in our own self, where we trust in our own wisdom and lean to our own understanding, instead of trusting God, who will direct our paths, give us renewed health and vitality, and crown our efforts with success (Proverbs 3:5-8).  The world’s definition of success is based on achieving what you planned or attempted to do.  It makes no mention of achieving what God has planned for you to do.

As always, we pray that today’s commentary 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: 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

Devotion: Jesus Paid For Your Prosperity

In reading the scriptures, we find that there is a thief that “cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10).”  We also find in that same passage, Jesus telling us “he has come that we might have life and have that life more abundantly.”  Jesus, who was manifested to destroy the works of the thief (I John 3:8), came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).  Many believe that Jesus’ main purpose for coming was to save individual lost souls, but truth be told, saving lost souls was just the by-product of what he actually did.

There were many things lost because of the disobedient actions of the first man.  It was the obedience of the second man (I Corinthians 15:47) that restored all that the first man lost (Romans 5:19).  Because of obedience, the second man became the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29).  Because of obedience, the second man rose from the dead as the firstfruits of them who have died or slept (I Corinthians 15:20).  Because of obedience, the second man became the first to come back from the dead, who will die no more (Revelation 1:5).  The second man is the firstfruits of the first resurrection.  The second man is the firstborn or first in rank of or over every creature and has preeminence in all things.  Because of obedience, the second man was made ruler over all of the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5).  Scripture after scripture, we see a comparison between the first man and the second man, also known as “the last Adam” (I Corinthians 15:45).

Among the many things that the last Adam restored, was our right standing with God (Romans 5:16-17).  This was by far the most important of all things restored.  This meant that our relationship with God was as it was at the very beginning with the first Adam.  It was like starting over, if you will.  The last Adam was able to get back the authority or dominion (Matthew 28:18) that the first Adam had lost (Luke 4:6) in the garden when he ate of the fruit (Genesis 3:6-7).  Because of the obedience of the last Adam, we have been redeemed from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13) and given the privilege to become a child of God (John 1:12-13), so that all could share in the blessings of Abraham and receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:14).  As a child of God, we now have the right to the inheritance of the new covenant, a better covenant, built with better promises (Hebrews 8:6-13), the right to a divine inheritance to the best in life, deserving all the Father has to offer (Romans 8:14-17), which includes the right to good health, wealth, and total life prosperity (III John 1:2).  We have all of this, because of the obedience of the second man, the last Adam, He paid for our prosperity.

We pray that this inspirational message will be a blessing to you as well as informative.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: A Member Of The Body

Many believers have been taught we are supposed to “be of one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God,” but is this truly the case?  Are the so-called believers truly “of one body?”  We, as so-called believers 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 “politely 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 memo and have missed the point as well.

Scripture records that Jesus, when he ascended upon high, he gave certain gifts to man. “Some of us have been given special ability as apostles; to others he has given the gift of being able to preach well; some have special ability in winning people to Christ, helping them to trust him as their Savior; still others have a gift for caring for God’s people as a shepherd does his sheep, leading and teaching them in the ways of God (Ephesians 4:11 TLB).

But it is the purpose of these gifts that we find most intriguing and what is to be accomplished by them.  “Why is it that he gives us these special abilities to do certain things best?  It is that God’s people will be equipped to do better work for him, building up the Church, the body of Christ, to a position of strength and maturity; until finally we all believe alike about our salvation and about our Savior, God’s Son, and all become full-grown in the Lord—yes, to the point of being filled full with Christ.  Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth.  Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of his body, the Church.  Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly, and each part in its own special way helps the other parts, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4:12-16 TLB).

So, if you be one who has been given a special ability or gift to do certain things by Christ, then you have but one job and it has been clearly spelled out; “the building up of the Church, which is the body of Christ to a position of strength and maturity.”  If you be a member of the one body, then you too have a role to play as well.  Paul begs us “to live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as these.  Be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit and so be at peace with one another” (Ephesians 4:1-3 TLB).  Imagine a body perfectly fitted together, with each part helping and working with all of the other parts so that the whole body is healthy, growing, and full of love.  Imagine a body where “finally we all believe alike and come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.”  Imagine that!

Again, we pray that today's 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 Will Provide

Recently, we spoke of God’s promise “to supply all your needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us” (Philippians 4:19 TLB).  We discovered that this is the promise from our heavenly Father to provide for us, like a “guaranteed provision” with nothing lacking (Luke 12:22-32).  However, as we look at the world today, we see what appears to be many lacking that “guaranteed provision” that we find in the word of God.  But why is this so?

We live in a very negative society where the culture focuses on what’s wrong or what’s missing.  The devil is constantly bombarding our mind with ungodly negative thoughts, ideas, and suggestions.  He is very cunning as he slowly infiltrates our mind.  Sure, we see the daily struggles of those who succumb to poverty, sickness, and death, but he specializes in fear and failure tactics, which creates depression, fear, discouragement, low self-esteem, worry, anxiety, confusion, doubt, and unbelief.  Fear is a force like faith, where fear can actually bring things to pass just as faith can bring things to pass.  The devil tries to distract our attention away from God.  He wants to keep us so busy trying to figure out our mess that we just give up.

Therefore, don’t be moved by the circumstances of a situation and don’t deny that the situation exists, but have faith that you will be blessed in the spiritual to resolve the situation.  Don’t allow your “sense knowledge; knowledge that is gained through or by your five senses,” to dictate what you should do; how you should act or react; and the direction that your faith should head.  As long as you look at the circumstances of life, as long as you look at what happens to others, doubt can enter and cause your faith to leave.  So many times in life, you will allow what you see to affect your faith and your belief.  You will allow what you see happen to others to cloud your vision and cause you to doubt the word of God.  Many times, you allow others and circumstances to influence or discourage your faith because you base your faith on feelings or emotions instead of the word of God.  Human reasoning has been and will continue to be a great hindrance to faith.

Your faith must be great, strong, true, and unfailing.  It should never be weak, little, or wavering.  Faith is a product of the heart, not a product of the head.  The devil will make you question your faith and belief by getting into your mind, through your head and not your heart.  You must have faith and you must also believe; these are two separate things.  Belief alone will not work without some action of faith.  Faith will not function without belief.  “Faith” is the acting on what you “believe,” acting on the word of God.  The soul contains your desire, your will, your intellect, and your mind.  You must be in control of all of these things.  Do not be bound by the circumstances and never be bound by your emotions either.  You must renew your mind and your soul daily.  You must get “the word of God” inside of you so that it will shine during the times when you are tested.  “Your actions mirror your faith.”  Faith is always now, present tense.  Faith is never about tomorrow or about yesterday.

God has promised to take care of us, promised to provide, promised to supply all our need, but we have to take God at his word, believe that he is fully capable to do all that he has promised, and we must put action to our faith.  Today’s inspirational message will help you to see how to put action to your faith.  We forever pray that our 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.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Gift Or Purchase?

Normally when someone dies, they usually leave behind something called  “a last will and testament.”  This is a legal declaration for the purpose of giving final instructions as to how a person’s estate is to be managed and instructions for the distribution of any properties or inheritances.  Scripture tells us that Jesus is the mediator of a new testament, a new agreement that by means of death, his death, a payment was given as atonement for the offences committed under the first agreement, rescuing those, who answer the call, from the penalties for all sins committed while under that old system, that those who answer might receive the eternal inheritance which had been promised to us (Hebrews 9:15).  Therefore, Christ being offered once, through death, to bear the sins of many, will bring salvation to those who have answered the call and who are eagerly and patiently waiting for him to return (Hebrews 9:28).

Now we have a new agreement that brought to light a righteousness from God that depends on faith in Jesus Christ.  A righteousness where God will accept us, acquit us, and declare us not guilty, if we accept Jesus Christ as our savior and redeemer.  A righteousness that has been extended to all who accept, where it does not matter who we are or what we have done.  A righteousness that justified us freely by the grace of God through the redemption that Jesus Christ purchased, whereby God declares us “not guilty” of offending him if we just place our trust in Jesus Christ to remove our sins.  A righteousness, that by the kindness of God, freely removes all our sins and all we have to do is accept the free gift (Romans 3:21-24).

As always, we pray that this inspirational message will be a blessing to you as well as informative.  If blessed by this message please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: How Do I Know When I Have Faith?

What an interesting question, “How Do I Know When I Have Faith?”  According to the scripture, “God has dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3 KJV).  Some translations say, “God has dealt to every man a measure of faith.”  We know that this will sound like a play on words, but we assure you that it is not.  It is important that you understand the difference between the two translations because the difference will help you to honestly measure the correct amount of faith that has been given to you.

When using the word “the,” which is a definite article that is used before a noun to express specificity to its reference, you get the sense that God has dealt to everyone “the same amount of faith.”  No one has been given more faith than anyone else has; we all have been given “the same amount.”  On the other hand, when using the word “a” or “an,” which are indefinite articles that are used before a noun to express non-specificity to its reference, you get the sense that God has dealt to everyone “a random or varied amount of faith.”  So, how can you be sure that you have been dealt “the measure of faith” and not some random amount?  How can you be sure that you have been given enough faith or that you have been given your fair share?

According to scripture, “there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11), which means we can safely say that God, who treats everyone the same, did not shortchange anyone when it came to faith; he gave us all “the same amount of faith” and not some random amount.  Now, if “the measure of faith” given to you by God is the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:6), then you have all the faith that you need.

The only thing left for you to do is to activate your faith and then, build up your faith, which are both lessons for another time.  Scripture tells us, “faith comes by hearing (listening) and hearing (listening) by the word of God” (Romans 10:17), and we know what happens when we attend to the word of God, giving ear to it (Proverbs 4:20-22).

Today’s inspirational message should help to answer the question, “How Do I Know When I Have Faith?”  As always, 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 Allows What You Allow

As a child of God, you have a right to good health, wealth, and total life prosperity, which was the plan of God from the beginning.  You have a divine inheritance to the best in life, deserving all the Father has to offer.  And while you may have the right to good health, wealth, and total life prosperity there be a thief, an adversary if you will, that is come to kill your good health, steal your wealth, and to destroy your total life prosperity (John 10:10).  He walks about like a roaring lion, seeking those that he may devour (I Peter 5:8).  The Bible tells us not to give place or opportunity to the devil (Ephesians 4:27).  Part of the reason for this is because he is seeking, looking to devour anyone who gives him that place or opportunity.  This means that he does not have the right to devour anyone unless they give him place or opportunity.  We really like the word “permission” a whole lot better.  Believe it or not, the devil wanders back and forth about the earth walking up and down it (Job 1:7) looking for those who give him “permission” to do what he does best, which is to kill, steel, and destroy.  And as crazy as this sounds, we actually do give the devil “permission” all the time and the sad part is that we do not even realize that we do this.  Please note that this permission comes from you and not from God.  God allows it because you allow it.

There be in existence a system that is completely activated by what an individual says and is “permission” based.  Now, we know some of you think we are out of touch with how things are, but before you judge, listen to our message.  It might just surprise you.  And as crazy as this sounds, we actually do give the devil permission to devour us without us ever knowing that we have done it.  The Bible tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21), which suggests that with one’s mouth an individual can speak death into his or her life or the same individual can speak life into his or her life.  Here is one example of how you can speak life into your life.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

This passage in Romans is a perfect example of what we are talking about.  This passage says that if you confess with your mouth, which involves words that you speak, and believe in your heart, which is accepting as truth, the words that you speak, then you will be saved.  We think the last part of the passage sums it up best – “And with your mouth, you make the confession and obtain salvation.”  It sure looks like the words you speak controls what happens to you.  Salvation is obtained just by the words you speak or in this case confess, well almost.  You must also believe in what you say.  Life is in the power of your tongue.  Basically, your salvation is in the power of your tongue, in the confession of your mouth.

But surely there is not a whole system that hinges on what a person says, is there?  Now that is an interesting thought.  But ponder this, if it be possible for you to be saved by a confession of your mouth (not to forgo the believing in the heart part), then do you think it would be possible for you to be condemn by a confession of your mouth as well, provided the belief in the heart is there?  And if that be the case, then death and life are activated by the words one speaks.  Imagine an entire system that is “permission” based and is activated by the words that are spoken; whether that be something good or something bad; activated by the power of a person’s tongue.  However, we do caution you to use it, that being your tongue, wisely; it controls and allows more than you ever could have imagined.  Amen.

If this message is a blessing to you, please share it so that others may be blessed by it as well.  Blessings.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Jesus Does Not Force Us Out Of Our Boat

More information on “the power of choice.”  Scripture tells us to “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Romans 14:5).  We all must walk our own path, one that no one else can walk for us.  That is exciting and scary all at the same time.  What if I choose the wrong path?  What if the path I choose leads me to a place that I really do not want to be?  How can I know, beyond any shadow of doubt that I am on the right one?  Every day we are faced with choices, a sort of crossroad if you will, where we have to decide to go right, go left, do a U-turn, or simply stay the course by going straight ahead.

Most of us solicit advice from friends and loved ones and we carefully weigh out the options before deciding which path to take.  But the bottom line is, regardless of the influences in our life, we choose our own paths in life.  This makes us totally responsible for the choices we make and the consequences that go along those choices, be they good or be they bad.  Life is all about our choices and the consequences that follow.  Think about judgment day when“each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God” (Romans 14:10).  How do you think you will be judged?  Do you think you will be judged based on the things that you have done and the choices that you have made?  Or do you think you will be allowed to pawn those choices off on another?  No, we will not be able to pawn our choices off on anyone else, not even God.  “Each person will have to give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

Wouldn’t it be great if we had a road map that would help us to choose the right paths for the best results?  But we do.  God has provided us with a road map for that very purpose.  This road map is given to us “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 it because “it contains everything we need to grow in maturity, to be perfect (meaning proficient or capable), and to do what God wants” (II Timothy 3:16-17).  And if we carefully adhere to this roadmap, “we will make our way prosperous and we will have good success” (Joshua 1:8).  But once again, it comes down to choice, your choice.  You can choose “to accept the free gifts of grace (forgiveness) and righteousness (acquittal) that Jesus provided for us (Romans 5:15-19), “this gift of salvation” (Romans 10:9-10), which leads “to life everlasting” (John 3:16-17) or you can choose an entirely different path.  The beauty of choice is that you get to make it.

“Immediately after this, Jesus told his disciples to get into their boat and cross to the other side of the lake while he stayed to get the people started home.  Then afterwards he went up into the hills to pray.  Night fell, and out on the lake the disciples were in trouble. For the wind had risen and they were fighting heavy seas.  About four o’clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water!  They screamed in terror, for they thought he was a ghost.  But Jesus immediately spoke to them, reassuring them.  “Don’t be afraid!” he said.  Then Peter called to him:  ‘Sir, if it is really you, tell me to come over to you, walking on the water.’  ‘All right,’ the Lord said, ‘come along!’  So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink.  ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted.  Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and rescued him.  ‘O man of little faith,’ Jesus said.  ‘Why did you doubt me?’  And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.  The others sat there, awestruck.  ‘You really are the Son of God!’ they exclaimed” (Matthew 14:22-33 TLB).

Most of you are familiar with the story of Jesus walking on the water.  But here is a little something that you may not have thought about.  Even though Peter asked Jesus to bid him to come to him on the water and Jesus did bid Peter to come, Jesus did not do anything to force Peter out of the boat.  Peter choose to step out of the boat of his own accord.  And if you did not notice, it was the same with his faith.  When Peter stepped out of the boat, his faith was, “strong, completely maxed out.”  Who among you have faith strong enough to step out of a boat and then expect to walk on water?  Somewhere along the way, Peter chose to allow his faith to wane and that was when he “began to sink.”  The beauty of choice is what he got to make.

God has given you the power or authority to choose and with that power comes the responsibility for the consequences that accompany those choices.  We hope today’s message will get you out of that comfort zone and help you realize that God has so much more planned for us in this life than we could ever imagine.  But in order for us to discover these wonderful things, we must first find the roadmap that God has provided for us; it has the ability to change our lives, if we choose to adhere to it.  If this message is a blessing to you, please share it so that others may be blessed by it as well.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Why 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).

In this passage, we see that the Lord chose seventy other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit later.  More importantly were the instructions that he gave to seventy other disciples.  We believe these instructions were given to us as well.