4GIVEN

WERE IT NOT FOR GRACE!

Posted on September 23, 2015 by #4GIVEN

Grace is when we receive kindness when in reality we deserve harshness. Is this the reason that some people find that grace is easy to receive but difficult to extend? Ephesians 2:8-9 (TLB) says, “Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves;it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it.” Let’s be honest at some point in our life we know that we deserved divine judgment but I/LO divine judgment we received divine benevolence! Larnelle Harris, Gospel singer and song writer poetically penned these words, “Were it not for grace. I can tell you where I’d be. Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere With my salvation up to me. I know how that would go. The battles I would face. Forever running but losing this race. Were it not for grace.” Grace is not only amazing, it’s a game changer!

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REFRESHMENT IN CHRIST

Posted on September 22, 2015 by #4GIVEN

God is in the rehab business. He takes our broken down, beaten up, worn and torn vessels and makes us new in Christ. I am thankful for His divine commitment, His unyielding faithfulness, and His incessant agape that heals our wounds, restores our souls, and replenishes the core of our beings!

To Him and Him alone be power, glory, and dominion both now and forever!

GIVING BACK

Posted on September 22, 2015 by #4GIVEN

We don’t serve God for other people’s approval rather we serve God because it’s just the right thing to do! Doing the right thing isn’t always easy but it’s rewarding. Each of us are called to serve God by serving others. Ephesians 2:10 says, “It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” We were put on this earth to be contributors. Rick Warren said, “You weren’t created just to consume resources — to eat, breath, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life. You were created to add to life on Earth, not just take from it. God wants you to give something back.” The questions are, what do you want to give back and when do you want to start doing it?

Posted in Agape, Elohim, Encouraging, FINISHED WORK, FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST, Forgive, Forgiven, GIVING BACK, GOD IS LOVE, God will make a way, Grace ain't cheap, Grudge, Hindsight is 2020, JESUS LOVES ME, Knock your socks off, KOINÓNIA, Let it go, life is too short, MARRAIGES, Move me out of your way, Negative media, Profile pic, Seek him first, Spiritual, sunrise, Throwing in the towel, Trusting God, Uncategorized, Why Me God | Leave a comment

FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST

Posted on September 21, 2015 by #4GIVEN

“T”To gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.” Mark 15:15 How many times have we yielded, gratified, pacified, and satisfied our flesh due to illicit desires, greed, and/or societal pressures? The fight against our flesh, the world, and the enemy is very real and we don’t always win every battle however; we who are Christ will win the war! Pilate was pleasure-loving, imperious (arrogant), and people pleasing. Before, I knew Christ, I was much like Pilate. Although, I loved Christ, I wasn’t living my life for Him. Once Christ began His work in me, my mindset began to change and so did my disposition on life. Are you willing to look at your own sins and see that Jesus died for you? Are you willing to acknowledge your own guilt for your sins that took Jesus to the cross? If you are, I encourage you to place your sincere faith in the crucified Savior, who was “lifted up” on the cross for you and was raised from death for your salvation and forgiveness (John 3:14-18; Rom. 5:6-11). He is not done with and He is not done with you. One thing is certain He will finish what He starts! o gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.” Mark 15:15 How many times have we yielded, gratified, pacified, and satisfied our flesh due to illicit desires, greed, and/or societal pressures? The fight against our flesh, the world, and the enemy is very real and we don’t always win every battle however; we who are Christ will win the war! Pilate was pleasure-loving, imperious (arrogant), and people pleasing. Before, I knew Christ, I was much like Pilate. Although, I loved Christ, I wasn’t living my life for Him. Once Christ began His work in me, my mindset began to change and so did my disposition on life. Are you willing to look at your own sins and see that Jesus died for you? Are you willing to acknowledge your own guilt for your sins that took Jesus to the cross? If you are, I encourage you to place your sincere faith in the crucified Savior, who was “lifted up” on the cross for you and was raised from death for your salvation and forgiveness (John 3:14-18; Rom. 5:6-11). He is not done with me and He is not done with you. One thing is certain He will finish what He starts!

Posted in Agape, Elohim, Encouraging, FINISHED WORK, FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST, Forgive, Forgiven, GOD IS LOVE, God will make a way, Grace ain't cheap, Grudge, Hindsight is 2020, JESUS LOVES ME, Knock your socks off, KOINÓNIA, Let it go, life is too short, MARRAIGES, Ministry, Move me out of your way, Negative media, Profile pic, Seek him first, Spiritual, sunrise, Throwing in the towel, Trusting God, Uncategorized, Why Me God | Leave a comment

PROFILE PIC

Posted on September 19, 2015 by #4GIVEN

Before digital cameras, photoshop, picture filters, and special effects there was instant Polaroid cameras. Inventor, Edwin Land introduced this technology in 1947. Did you know the iconic large bottom border of a Polaroid contains pouches of chemicals? When the photo is ejected from the camera it is squeezed between two rollers which burst the bags and smear the chemicals onto the photo, developing it. Our world is obsessed with preserving the outer man when we all should be more focused on the inner man. (Read 2 Cor 4:16) I love viewing old Polaroid pics because it’s a true archived depiction w/o filters. David said in Ps 139:14, “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous–how well I know it.” I got a holy hunch David wasn’t merely referring to his outward appearance rather he praised God for the inner complexity of his being! Senior Pastor Tim of New Hope Church said, “People are blessed and highly edited.” He hit the nail on the head! We don’t have to edited what God authored! I Peter 3:3-4, “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” So the next profile pic or selfie you snap today; choose no filters and let your inner beauty consume your outer.

Posted in Agape, Elohim, Encouraging, Forgive, Forgiven, GOD IS LOVE, God will make a way, Grace ain't cheap, Grudge, Hindsight is 2020, JESUS LOVES ME, Knock your socks off, KOINÓNIA, Let it go, life is too short, MARRAIGES, Ministry, Move me out of your way, Negative media, Profile pic, Seek him first, Spiritual, sunrise, Throwing in the towel, Trusting God, Uncategorized, Why Me God | Leave a comment

MOVE ME OUT OF YOUR WAY

Posted on September 18, 2015 by #4GIVEN

Lord God, You are intimately aware of my every need. There are a few things that, I think I need, that I really don’t need at all! Matter of fact, most of the stuff I say I need, I don’t really need; it’s just stuff that I want. Father, please help me to discern the differences. El Shaddai, please continue to provide for my need and not my greed. Father, You are an all sufficient God and You are more than capable and faithful to accomplish Your will in my life. As You know sometimes, I get in your way due to doubt, fear, and impatience. Therefore, move me out of Your way so that I don’t impede the manifestation of Your will, plan, and purpose for my life. Thank You Lord! In Jesus’ name, amen!

SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND

Posted on September 17, 2015 by #4GIVEN

El Shaddai is the Hebrew name for God Almighty! El is literally translated “God”. Psalm 77:14 says, “You are the God [El] who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples.” It’s clear that might and power are expressed in the “El” alone. Now, let’s look at the title suffix of this Hebrew name. Shaddai is literally translated “breast” which means One who nourishes, satisfies, and supplies! PUT IT ALL TOGETHER NOW. “The God who is almighty to nourish, satisfy, and supply our every need.” According to Phil 4:19 Paul said, “And it is He who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.”So if you are in need of salvation, fulfillment, refreshment, and nourishment seek Christ today and lay everything at His feet! The word says that if you seek Him, you will find Him! Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Posted in Agape, Elohim, Encouraging, Forgive, Forgiven, GOD IS LOVE, God will make a way, Grace ain't cheap, Grudge, Hindsight is 2020, JESUS LOVES ME, Knock your socks off, KOINÓNIA, Let it go, life is too short, MARRAIGES, Ministry, Negative media, Seek him first, Spiritual, sunrise, Throwing in the towel, Trusting God, Uncategorized, Why Me God | Leave a comment

THROWING IN THE TOWEL

Posted on September 16, 2015 by #4GIVEN

The bell rang and before you know he had already fought 11 rounds. Obviously drained, broken, and exhausted he mustered enough strength to walk back to his corner. His Corner Man asked him, “Are you ready to throw in the towel?” The boxer responded, “Not yet!” His Corner Man than insisted that he throw in the towel because of his broken thumb. Even if the boxer made it through the 12th round he would still lose. Reluctantly, the injured boxer agrees and the towel of surrender falls! In the locker room the Corner Man said, “Son, the reason you lost this fight is because it was never a real fight to begin with, you were fighting against your self.” As Christians there is never a time when we are not battling with sin which severely devalues shadow boxing. Paul said in 1 Cor 9:26, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” It’s important not to neglect the war on sin however, it behooves us to take heed in properly fighting against sin by seeking Christ’s help to mortify and kill the desires of our flesh.

Posted in Agape, Elohim, Encouraging, Forgive, Forgiven, GOD IS LOVE, God will make a way, Grace ain't cheap, Grudge, Hindsight is 2020, JESUS LOVES ME, Knock your socks off, KOINÓNIA, Let it go, life is too short, MARRAIGES, Ministry, Negative media, Spiritual, sunrise, Throwing in the towel, Trusting God, Uncategorized, Why Me God | Leave a comment

REAL LOVE

Posted on September 15, 2015 by #4GIVEN

When you grow up with 4 other brothers, it ain’t no such thang as having your own pet. Mainly because everyone in the house wants ‘sharing’ privileges. So I found the least desirable pet; a turtle. The thing is, I fell in loved with Mr. Turtle and when he died of malnutrition (I was a kid) I was heart broken. Weeks later after I buried Mr. Turtle, I exhumed his bones in efforts to fossilize his remains. My plan was working out well until my mom discovered that I hid the remains in her desk draw. I guess the smell gave it away. Needless to say, I found my self redepositing his remains back in the original shallow grave. My point is when you truly love something it’s hard to live without it. From His righteous throne to a stinky manger, Jesus was determined and dead-set on reconciling humanity with Divinity! 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Talk about real love; it just don’t get any realer than this!

Posted in Agape, Elohim, Encouraging, Forgive, Forgiven, GOD IS LOVE, God will make a way, Grace ain't cheap, Grudge, Hindsight is 2020, JESUS LOVES ME, Knock your socks off, KOINÓNIA, Let it go, life is too short, MARRAIGES, Ministry, Negative media, Spiritual, sunrise, Trusting God, Uncategorized, Why Me God | Leave a comment

#LETITGO

Posted on September 14, 2015 by #4GIVEN

It’s on my heart to encourage family unity! If you are experiencing difficulties and/or issues…..let it go! Life is too short to live in disharmony. No one is 100% right! It’s not the person….it’s the enemy! He comes only to kill, steal, and destroy! Yes, we all have problems, we’re all flawed, and none of us can sit on the seat of Perfection! But it’s not too late! Forgive, release, and be at peace! Remember, God causes all things to work together for your good and His glory. God will never end on a negative!!
#release

#letitgo

#lifeisbutavapor