4GIVEN

I know it’s only the 5th of January and somethings haven’t gone your way but, don’t think for a moment this will be the the trend in 2017. That’s what the enemy wants you to think. He has a way of thwarting and distorting your perception about the things God allows to happen to you in your life. Remember the word spoken in Romans 8:28, “And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” and 2 Corinthians 4:15 also reminds us,”All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.” If you want to foil the enemy’s plans, beginning shouting the name of Jesus despite the circumstances!

In her devotional entitled, ‘How God Turns Your Past Into Purpose’ Tracie Miles said, “People can deny Christ, dispute Scripture and ignore prophecy, but they cannot deny, dispute or ignore God’s transformational power in someone’s life. Our stories of pain, adversity and overcoming in Christ are meant to serve as a testimony of God’s faithfulness and power, evidence that God really can take what the devil meant for evil and use it for good.” Fact is God never wastes our pain. Only we do that. God has a plan for great purpose and a beautiful future for all who believe in Him. Not despite our past, but because of it.

We have been in the last days for some time now and it saddens my heart to hear that former saints are turning away from the Gospel. 2 Timothy 4:4 says, “They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” One commentator wrote, “People will turn away from the truth, they will grow weary of the plain gospel of Christ, they will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them. People do so when they will not endure that preaching which is searching, plain, and to the purpose.” This is not the season to turn back rather it is a season of perseverance in the faith. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

We not only have hope, we have living hope! The Spirit of God through Christ’s resurrection now lives in us. 1 Peter 1:3-4 says, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance–an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” Believers, if He saw you through 2016, He will certainly see you through 2017! Have a blessed day!
#HopeInChrist

What’s new to us is not new to God. His knowledge is total. He knows all there is to know and all that can be known. Omnipresence means all-present. This term means that God is capable of being everywhere at the same time. It means His divine presence encompasses the whole of the universe at the same time. So as we leave 2016 behind don’t fret, keep on seeking after God, and remember, He is already in 2017. Jesus said, “Seek ye the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and everything [you need] will be given to you.” (Matt 6:33) 
#HAPPYNEWYEAR2017

Lord God, I can be resolved to do everything different, better, and bigger in the upcoming new year but right now I stand before you seeking Your forgiveness for my sins, iniquities, and transgressions. I wanna start with this because Your word says in Psalm 32:1-2, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” Father God, thank You for Your limitless mercy and grace. My only resolve is to continue seeking You and I am certain that whatever You have in stored for me will come to pass. In Jesus’ life restoring name, amen!

Just because the gifts under the tree are gone doesn’t mean the One who died on a tree, emptied a borrowed tomb, and conquered eternal death is not with us. In fact Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:20). Christmas is not a once a year advent; it’s a life style that will far surpass our time here on this planet. Everyday is Christmas. Everyday Christ embraces us with His incomprehensible love, unfathomable peace, and undeniable joy.

Accountability: Lets face it holding oneself accountable for his or her actions is not an easy undertaking. Mainly because we tell ourselves accountability restricts us, deprives us from joy, and some might say it’s legalism. But the real dilemma is understanding why it’s worth it. Here are 5 reasons why accountability is worth striving for:
1. To please God. (Ephesians 5)
2. To Love one another. (Gal 5:25)
3. To keep on keeping on. (Phil 1:12-13)
4. To be free!! (Common sense 101)
5. To keep us humble. (James 4:6)

I acknowledge accountability is messy and difficult but remember the hardest work has already been accomplished on the cross. The victory is secure. The enemy is defeated and his time is short. May we keep each other accountable and never stop growing more and more accountable in Christ. 

Accountability: We want the benefits of a promise without the cost of commitment. Often, despite our promises, we have the tendency to want to keep our options open. When you say your gonna do something, just do it. Reneging in a game of spades is a little different than in real life. I get it, commitments can be challenging at times, I fail to keep my commitments but, I have learned that being true to myself is the best way to get back on track. It’s difficult to start over if you don’t know where to start. I John 2:5, “But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him.” So today, keep your word and remember promises have been described like babies: easy to make and hard to deliver. Commitments always come with a cost and if our word can’t be trusted, we can’t be trusted.

Accountability: When you do something wrong don’t deny it and don’t shift blame to others. Simply, admit it! Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Staying true to yourself and to God will not only relieve you of stress but it will also give you peace. Confession means to stand in agreement with the truth and 1 John 1:9 says, ” If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”