4GIVEN

A.S.A. Jones said in an article entitled, ‘The Testimony of a Former Atheist’, “My atheistic philosophy had allowed me to lose my compassion for others. I no longer had the ability to love anyone, not even myself. I had become apathetic to life itself. For years, I had been dead, but because I continued to walk and talk, I didn’t know it. But now, I was born again and the spirit that was in me, which had allowed me to understand spiritual things, connected with the glorious and perfect higher consciousness of Jesus Christ.” True reconciliation is when our desire to make things right with God is greater than ourselves. Proverbs 28:23 says, “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” Being right with God is a matter of our response to what God has done on our behalf. Jesus was the sacrifice who removed our sins, transgressions, and our iniquities (John 1:29), and He offers you and I the promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). In other words, to all those who are willing to put down pride, hate, ideologies, arrogance, independence, worldly experiences, politics, fear, ego, scientific theories, biological theories, philosophical theories, and intellectual theories. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted [sinner] and saves those who are crushed [humble] in spirit.” If you want to get right with God, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is a simply way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation:

Father God, I know that I have sinned against You and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness – the gift of eternal life! In Jesus’ name, amen and amen!

You’ve heard it said, “God is good all the time and all the time God is __________.” So, why would a good and loving God allow His people to go through such things as the death of a loved one, disease, pain, discouragement, hurt, disappointments, financial hardships, anxiety, and fear? At times when we encounter these kinds of trials and tribulations we become doubtful, weary, bitter, and angry because we don’t like unexpectedness nor do we want to be inconvenienced. I have learned and have grown to accept that trouble and challenges are nothing more than test and these test are intended to help exercise and build our faith. In other words, a faith that can’t be tested—can’t be trusted. God wants us to live out our lives radically and unequivocally driven by our faith in Him. But sometimes He has to force our hand. James 1:2-4 (Msg) said, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” You have to remind yourself, despite all of life’s trials and tribulations, we have victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Although spiritual battles are constant, Satan is defeated and he has no authority over the believer in Christ. God has given us His Word to guide us, His Holy Spirit to enable us, and the privilege of coming to Him anywhere, at any time, to pray about anything. He has also assured us that no trial will test us beyond our ability to bear it, and “he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Trouble, trials, challenges, tribulations, storms, and test don’t come to stay, they only come to pass! Amen and amen!

Humility by itself is not enough. True humility must be married with reverence before if can be deemed authentic. Proverbs 22:4 confirms; “True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.” Humility teaches us to rejoice continually that God, in addition to being rich in wisdom and knowledge and in glory and power, is also “rich in mercy” (Eph.2:4) and that “the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him, for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom.10:12,13). If we can embrace the same humble mindset that Jesus demonstrated, forsaking our own reputation and honor in order to be obedient to God’s word and will, we will be able to make unbelievable progress in our Christian lives! In fact, God pays very close attention to our hearts and is ready and eager to strengthen those who desire to live unto His honor and glory. “Thus Says the Lord: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist, says the Lord. ‘But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.’” Isaiah 66:1-2. God desires that we be among such ones, those who have a humble mindset and a desire and need to do His will, who tremble at His word. We are not to be rich and satisfied in ourselves. That is pride and pride filled heart impedes God from doing a transforming work in our lives. Rather, we are to be humble and lowly of heart. Then God will regard us and give us the grace we need to make true progress in our Christian lives.

I am convinced that it’s impossible to truly live out your “best life” in a world that is grossly riddled with sin, hurt, hate, and division. Some of you might disagree because you believe that material possessions, money, and social status are what define true happiness. Well, you’re right! All of these “things” will give you a temporary sense of contentment. However; stuff get old, money is fleeting, and people will turn their backs on you in a blink of an eye. Life here on this planet, no matter how good it is, is nothing compared to the life that awaits us in heaven. The glories of heaven—eternal life, righteousness, joy, peace, perfection, God’s presence, Christ’s glorious companionship, rewards, and all else God has planned—is the Christian’s heavenly inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5), and it will cause even the “best life” on earth to pale in comparison. Even the richest, most successful person on earth will eventually age, sicken, and die, and his/her wealth (material possessions, money, and social status) cannot prevent it, nor can his/her wealth follow him/her into the next life. Bob Marley’s last words to his son Ziggy were, “Money can’t buy you life.” Fact is our hearts reside wherever our treasures is hidden (Matthew 6:19-21). In other words, what we value in life permeates our hearts, our minds, our very existence, and it inevitably comes out in our speech and actions. Please hear me, living your “best life” isn’t about hinging what you think will impress others — that’s not living your “best life”, that’s only living someone else’s idea of it. Let me be clear, the “living your best life” philosophy is nothing more than the old “power of positive thinking” lie repackaged to scratch the itching ears of our current generation. As I mentioned and I can’t emphasis this enough; if we know Jesus Christ as our Savior, our “best lives” await us in heaven where we will spend eternity in joy and bliss, enjoying a life which is far better than the “best” we could have now here on this planet.

#FoodForThought

Homecoming is a high school, college, or university annual event to which visiting graduates or former students (alumni) attend. I never understood why some alums take this event very seriously until I took a closer look at the definition; ‘returning home’! Alumni is the plural for alumnus which in the Latin derivative means foster son or pupil. Now you know I am going to lift this up!! Are we not adoptive sons/daughters and pupils (followers) of Christ? Ephesians 1:5 says, “He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” My point is that we should live life everyday in preparation of our homecoming celebration. The message paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 5:7 hits the nail on the head and it reads, “That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we’ll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.” Our lives are numbered and one day we will all stand before a holy, perfect, and righteous Savior that will welcome us to our new forever home! You want to talk about a joyous and celebratory moment!! For those justified by Christ, the difference between the two events is that we won’t be homecoming visitors rather permanent residents♥️

Tit-for-tat is most commonly referred to as retaliation and it is defined as the infliction of an injury, blow, or insult in return for one that one has suffered. Phrase founder Gary Martin said, ‘Tit’ and ‘tat’ are both the names of small blows which originated as ‘tip’ and ‘tap’. This phrase was recorded by Charles, Duke of Orleans in a book of poems that he wrote while captive in England after the battle of Agincourt and first published circa 1466. Well, for those who live in Christ knows that vengeance or retaliation is the Lord’s responsibility (Deut 32:35). Therefore, our ‘tat’ or response to our offenders should always be grounded or rooted in the spirit of love. Jesus said, “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. (‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬ MSG) Jesus is not saying be doormat nor is saying be a sledge hammer. As Christians we are called to live at peace with one another…..if at all possible. I get it, things can often get a little heated. However, look at it this way; love is best demonstrated under fire! The reality is God is so much better at righting the people and the things that wrong us and when you view an offense through the lens of grace you will also see your fault in the situation and like I taught my children; if you are 1/10th of 100 percent wrong, you are 100 percent wrong.

So continuing for yesterday’s word of devotion, Peter is now making his way from the cell to the city and he failed to REALIZE what was REALLY happening to him!! It wasn’t until after he cleared 2 guard posts and an iron gate opened on its own accord (Acts 12:10) that he REALIZED it was the Lord that sent His angel to break him out of prison thus saving him from the hands of King Herod and from the expectations of the Jewish people (Acts 12:11). Wait a minute you missed the spiritual application, right? How many times have you failed to see God moving in your hard-pressed situations in your life? You see a doubting Thomas aka Christian is a skeptic who refuses to believe without direct personal experience. Thomas, refused to believe that the resurrected Jesus had appeared to the ten other apostles, until he could see and feel the wounds received by Jesus on the cross. Now then, I’m not speculating that Peter doubted it was the Lord’s angel that busted him out of the joint. However, he wasn’t certain until he walked through the gates of that prison. Beloved of God, we don’t have to wait till the breakthrough happens to be certain that it’s God who is One bringing us out!! When you are in a very hard situation, God wants you to remember that miracles happen. These miracles show up in every dream that you have that comes true, in every enlightening moment you have, in every person who has moved or transformed your life, and in every person you love – in these very moments, God’s making miracles happen. These miracles aren’t always going to be big. Sometimes, they are small.

He is bringing you small miracles so that you can believe in the bigger ones. So stop looking for God after the miracle and start RECOGNIZING it was Him before the miracles (big or small) occurs in your life!!

Peter was in a pickle and in Acts 12:5-7 we learn the church was praying for him after his arrest and the night before his trial, he was sleeping, handcuffed between two soldiers. Then suddenly a bright light illuminated the cell and an angel of the Lord appeared. Peter was sleeping so good and I mean good because the angel had to strike him on the side to wake him up!! I don’t know about you but if I was awaiting a death sentencing and I had ‘Thing 1’ on my left and ‘Thing 2’ on my right, my eyes would have been wide open like a soldier in a watchtower. Watch this; the church prayed for Peter and I can opine based on Peter’s response to his false imprisonment they prayed for his strength and unshakeable peace! Let’s be honest, when storms and trouble hit us on the left and the right we find it hard to get any sleep. However, the same key that unlocked Peter from his shackles is the same key they unlocks the breakthroughs, deliverance, healing, and peace in our lives!! Perhaps, after learning of this miracle it inspired Paul to write Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, PRAY about everything. TELL God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will EXPERIENCE God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” I don’t know what’s chained to you today but I do know that you don’t need pharmaceuticals to find rest for your mind, body, and soul! The life hack or prescription to insomnia is prayer! Peter wasn’t sleeping because he was tired….he was sleeping because of intercessory prayer and his ability to trust God’s to deliver him from the hands of his enemy!

My freshman year at Lamar High School, I vividly remember that I couldn’t bench press a 125lbs and boy was I discouraged. However, my ‘determination was greater than my discouragement’. Therefore, I ask my mom and dad for a weight set and when Christmas came boy did I started hitting dem boys everyday before and after school!!! Now, fast forward to the end of my freshman year, my max bench press was 250lbs and at the end of my sophomore year my max bench press was 300lbs. Here’s the kicker guys, I only weighed 125lbs and some change!! I will never forget when Coach Evans left his 5th period History class just to personally award my 300lbs club t-shirt. So what does this have anything to do with this morning’s devotion?? No, I am not bragging nor I am living in the past and I hate to answer a question with a question but are you living out your Christian life to the MAX? I get it the ‘weight’ of this world can be extremely and exhaustingly overwhelming however, maxing out the fruits of the spirit listed in Gal 5:22-23 will certainly assist in conditioning you to achieving the goal of becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ! Which by the way, is how we live out our Christian life to the MAX! Saying ‘Yes’ to Jesus secures our salvation but it is only the beginning to living out our Christian lives to the MAX. Beloved, God is working a extraordinarily magnificent work in each of our lives and make no mistakes whatever He starts, He brings to perfect completion. Well, at least for me that’s my conviction and at the end of my life I am not looking to receive a ‘t-shirt’ as I will be eagerly with great anticipation listening for my

MASTER to say, “’Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” (Matt 25:23)

Father God, please forgive me for every time I have asked you for what I think I needed in my life. Starting today, I have chosen to shut my mouth so that I can listen to what You are saying and to see where Your leading me. Your word declares that my steps are ordered by you when you delight in my ways. Therefore Father God, I decrease so that Your righteousness is increased in my life. I am not the boss of me…You are!! Lord, I fully submit, turn over, and relinquish all title and rights over my life to You! As Jesus said, “Into Your hands I commit my spirit.” Yes O’God, I surrender not only my spirit but my flesh also!! Have your way Lord in my life, my marriage, my family, my job, my goals, my finances, and all of my desires both carnal and spiritual! Fill me Lord with Your spirit and hide me in Your word so that I may not sin against You! Father God, I humble myself, under Your mighty and righteous hand so that at the proper time You may exalt me as I cast all my worries and anxieties to You, because I know you care for me. Order and direct my steps today and forevermore; in Jesus’ name I pray and ask all these things believing by faith, amen and amen!