HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US!

Posted on February 4, 2016 by #4GIVEN

Psalm 37:25 says,”I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” David’s observation back then remains true today. Although we experience hardships throughout our life, God promises not to ever leave us nor forsake us.(Hebrew 13:5) According to the Strong’s Concordance, the Hebrew translation for the word ‘forsake’ is to abandoned, ceased, or leave. God would never abandoned His position, He could never cease to exist, and as scripture above confirms, He will never leave our side. Although we may leave God, He will never leave us.  No matter how bleak the situation, no matter how empty the feeling comes, God will never leave us!  His promises are undeniably true. His empirical word is above all things!! We can always move forward because, He goes before us.  And if God be for us, who and what can stand against us?

  

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H.O.P.E.

Posted on February 1, 2016 by #4GIVEN

In 2015 Forbes named Bill Gates the riches person in the world. Gates net worth is 79.2 billion dollars. Can you picture experiencing life with this kinda cheddar? Although it would be nice to have financial freedom of this capacity, when I compare it to my salvation in Christ, there is no comparison! C.S. Lewis said, “I have found a desire within myself that no experience [That money can buy] in this world can satisfy; the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” Lewis is spot on. Hebrews 13:14 says, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a world yet to come” and according to Revelation 21:4 in our permanent home, “Christ will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things will be gone forever.”   

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BROKEN HEARTED?

Posted on January 29, 2016 by #4GIVEN

On February 28, 1988, Whitney Houston released a powerful ballad entitled, ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’. Initially, Houston did not want to record the song, feeling there was no special message to convey. I am certain today, Houston has found the answer to this rhetorical question. Psalm 147:3-5 says, “The Lord heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!” Saints, God is intimately and acutely aware of His people’s struggles, disappointments, and failures. He alone is able to mend, heal, and restore a broken heart.  

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WOUNDED BUT NOT DESTROYED!

Posted on January 28, 2016 by #4GIVEN

Although our flesh, the enemy, and this world may wound us; our Father in heaven will never allow those wounds to defeat us. The bibles says although we are struck down we will not be destroyed (I Cor 4:9). We are than conquerors in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37). So today, if you have been wounded remember Christ too was wounded for our rebellion, He was also bruised for wickedness, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed (Isa 53:5). Our present suffering will never be compared to the glory that will be revealed (Romans 8:18)!  

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FATHERS PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Posted on January 28, 2016 by #4GIVEN

With so much going on in our schools and local communities, I encourage every father that read this post to take time everyday to pray ‘with’ your children. I am not just referring to meal times, bedtime and/or holidays. I am talking about every time they are in your presence. Fathers, it is our duty to intercede on behalf of our children, praying for wisdom, protection, peace, courage, and strength.  
Author Mark Batterson wrote, “If you determine to circle your children in prayer, you will shape their destinies … your prayers will live on in their lives long after you die.” In fact, this is what Jesus called us to do because he hears our prayers and intercedes on our behalf before God. Fathers, if this message speaks to you, start today! The God in you will help our children recognize our Heavenly Father in heaven!  

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HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF!

Posted on January 16, 2016 by #4GIVEN

“God is FAITHFUL even when we are FAITHLESS because he can never deny who is!” (2 Timothy 2:13) 
In the Greek ‘to deny’ is translated ‘arneomai’. Which means to forget oneself, lose sight of oneself and one’s own interests. In context with our text God is simply saying that he can NEVER contradict his own word; this would be an act contrary to his nature and his glorious perfection. Therefore, his faithfulness will never fail, even when we fail to put our faith into action. 
#GREATISTHYFAITHFULNESS

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GIVE THANKS!!

Posted on January 11, 2016 by #4GIVEN

In Matthew 15:34-38, I observed that the people’s need was greater than their existing resources. In other words, in the natural they didn’t have enough food to feed 4,000 men not counting the women and children in attendance. However, Jesus demonstrated in the supernatural that there’s always more than enough in God’s kingdom. Jesus took what He had and gave God thanks (v36). Notice, He didn’t complain, He didn’t ask for more, and He didn’t ask God for an explanation. He simply, gave thanks for what He already had and for what He believed by faith God could do with what He had. I believe this is one of the reasons Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” So today no matter what the need is; be it finances, strength, comfort, peace, deliverance, vocational, and/or familial remember to GIVE GOD THANKS. There is always more than enough in God’s kingdom!  

  

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YOU CAN’T EARN FORGIVENESS!

Posted on January 7, 2016 by #4GIVEN

Contrary to the world’s and even some religious views, it’s impossible to earn forgiveness. For some this may be a hard pill to swallow however, belief is a function of the will. No one can force a person to believe. He or she must choose to believe (John 3:16). And the same will that can choose to believe can also choose not to believe. God’s forgiveness is not contingent on our doing something to earn it, including forgiving someone (that is why it is called grace). So why do we often defer forgiving others? Jesus said in Mark 11:25-26, “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” So today, make forgiveness a lifestyle, forgiving instantly so that the offense can NOT take root. Do NOT let the sun go down on your anger (Eph 4:26-27). Yes, forgiveness takes strength, and God can give you that strength if you truly embrace the power of grace.   

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DO IT FOR THE TRUE VINE!

Posted on January 6, 2016 by #4GIVEN

“Do it for the Vine!”  
Ok, not for the “app” but for the TRUE VINE as mentioned in John 15:1-5. In his sermon (‘The Truth About Believers’) Pastor Charles Stanley said, When I became a believer, someone patted me on the shoulder and said, “Do the best you can,” which is neither biblical nor helpful advice. A while later, I was discipled by some faithful saints, who taught me the truth about believers.” He further stated, “A believer’s mission is to show Christ to the world. Our vine is to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). When our character and conduct reflect these aspects of Jesus’ nature, we help others to see the beauty of a relationship with the Lord. The truth about believers is that we don’t have to “do the best we can.” God works through His children to accomplish His purposes.” I personally find comfort in knowing the good in me derives from the power of the TRUE VINE that intravenously flows through me.  

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READ MY BOOK FIRST!

Posted on January 5, 2016 by #4GIVEN

Why is there so much discrimination amongst people in our world today? Discrimination is treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing is perceived to belong to rather than on individual merit. False perception leads to false reality. The enemy has done a great job in creating racial, religious, and societal barriers amongst God’s people. It’s behooves us never to topically judge a person or a situation. When Samuel arrived at Jesse’s crib and saw Eliab he thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” (I Sam 16:6) God’s response to Samuel’s ‘thought’ was priceless. He said in v.7, “….. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Dig deeper and try to understand the thoughts and feelings of others, to know them the way God knows them. People are like books, you have to look inside to know who and what is really there.

  

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