4GIVEN

Stop thinking that you have complete control over your life. Yes, we all have free ‘WILL’ but it’s God’s ‘WILL’ that prevails (Proverbs 19:21)! The Message Bible paraphrase of Matthew 16:24 hit the nail on the head: “Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” Similar to Paul’s assertion in Romans 8:38-39, I too am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing is worth the measure of my soul in Christ Jesus. I have said it before and I will say it again; “I don’t want Jesus to take the wheel, rather, I desire that he commandeers the entire vehicle (vessel)!”

The government may be closed but God, the Ruler of all and every government known and unknown, seen and unseen is always open! So, stay focus and continue to pray for our leaders in Washington, in every State, and in every City!

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour….

— 1 Timothy 2:1-3

It is the VINE that produce the fruit not the BRANCH!

Jesus said in John 15:5, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Isaiah 55:8 declares, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.” Wow, I love to remember that God’s thoughts, plans, ways, methods, and strategies are infinitely higher and greater than my own. They are better in every way. They take me by surprise. They go where I could have never dreamed. They are accomplished in ways that surpass any and all expectations that I ever had. So if you’re reading this message, God unequivocally still has a greater plan and purpose for your life. We may not see it from our limited vantage point, but trust that God sees the whole story, not just the page in history we sit in!

God gives us the freedom and responsibility to make plans. And yet, God relates the decisions we make to our future. However, this is not a reason to be passive or fatalistic, but rather it is an encouragement that you can rest assured that God is in ultimate control of your life. You need not be frozen in a state of indecision. You can trust that God will work out everything for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Simply put, I am not the boss of me! I’ve learned to put GOD in charge of my work so that whatever I plan becomes grafted into the fabric of His plan, purpose, and promise for my life (Proverbs16:3).

Pray with me:

Lord God, thank you that you are the sovereign Lord and that you control the events of history. Forgive me, Lord, for the times when I have perhaps known I am on the wrong path but have tried to manipulate my way. Help me always to stay in line with your plans, will, and purpose. May all my plans be your plans, and may these plans succeed and bring you glory and honor. In Jesus’ name, amen and amen!

Make every breath count TODAY and pray that GOD help us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in WISDOM.” (‭Psalms‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬ NLT)

God’s love for us is unconditional period! In Christ, there is nothing you can nor can’t do that could ever diminish God’s love for you (Romans 8:38)! Nobody is perfect (Romans 3:10) however, we grow into ‘reflective’ perfection in Christ and Christ alone (Phil 1:6). Now then, our imperfections should never be used to excuse our sins or weaknesses, but rather illuminate the areas of our lives that propel us to the foot of the cross. Our Father said in Isaiah 54:10, “‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” I don’t know about you—I plan to kneel my way into and through everyday of 2k19!! Hallelujah, I know that God loves me because of who He is (1 John 4:8) and not because of who I am.

Life is not eye candy, it’s soul food! God afforded you one life-to-live so choose to live today as if it were your last! You don’t have to wait till the turn of a new year to start living a purpose driven life! As it stands, the purpose of life is to live a life of purpose!

#ForwardLiving

God teaches us contentment through adverse circumstances, disappointments,

and unexpectedness.

Philippians 4:12,“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Father God, thank you for sending your son so that after death we may know something other than the suffering and pain this world offers. Thank you for Jesus’ birth, for it opened the door to unending joy that we can’t imagine but so desperately yearn to experience. Father God, bless the brokenhearted, especially those who are mourning the loss(es) of loved ones you have called home to be with you! Caress them O’God with moments of insurmountable and incomprehensible peace and remind them that even though their broken hearts may be all they have, that is all You want. Lord, you said in Psalm 34:18, that you are close to the brokenhearted and that you rescue those whose spirits are crushed. You also reminded us in 1 Peter 5:10 that after we suffered for a little while, you will restore, support, and strengthen us and you will place us on a firm foundation. Father God, as the grieved and broken-hearted walk through life especially this holiday season, give them a fresh glimpse of who You are. Help them remember the suffering You experienced as You watched your Son on the cross, a gift given that saved us from eternal death. Help them remember with joy and wonder the amazing gifts we have simply because you gave, a precious baby born that Christmas morning and who later abandoned a tomb on an early Sunday morning. Help them focus their hearts and mind on Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 9:6). Father God, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit, you are our hope, our only hope, for Christmas and every day we walk on the surface of this earth. May we always carry your hope within us despite what happens directly and inadvertently to us!! In Jesus precious and hope restoring name I pray, amen and amen!

#MerryChristmas2018