Praying for my brothers and sisters in Afghanistan

Since the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan does not recognize any Afghan citizens as Christian, it is not legally permitted for a citizen of Afghanistan to convert to Christianity. However, the Almighty God has made a way for church to exist even admist the circumstances. Praise God! Often Afghan believers take great risks to meet in small groups or worship in secret. Today I am praying for Afghan believers who feel alone and isolated to be filled with His Almighty presence. I pray that they will take refuge in the arms of The Lord Jesus and proclaim His name with all boldness and courage. I thank God for making His presence made available even in places where mankind puts limits on His power and ability.

IT'S TIME FOR A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

I truly believe that it is time for a Spiritual Awakening in this world today. I have recently read about the violent uprising in Egypt and I am deeply saddened by what is taking place. During what is seen to be the most holiest months of the year, Ramadan, in the Islamic calendar, I am praying for a spiritual awakening for radical Islamists and Muslims all around the globe, so they will encounter the love and grace of Jesus Christ as they pray and fast.

The Word of God gives great revelation about spiritual awkening:

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:13-14 ESV)

Think about it for a second...If I were to take a flashlight and shine it upon a dark alley, it will show me maybe pipes, stairs, etc...Notice, light does not say anything, it just performs and illuminates what was once dark. Just as light exposes what is hard to see, it reveals the deepest and darkest secrets of our heart, bringing forth conviction from the Holy Spirit and shows the road to true freedom in Christ.

I pray today for the reconciliation and resurgence of the Sons of God to be the hands and feet of Christ today. Let's be in prayer for our brothers and sisters on today.

Pray in the name of Jesus during Ramadan

An Act of Creation

Have you ever opened a fortune cookie and really read the message from your heart?

Well, my fortune cookie said this today: "Choosing what you want to do, and when to do it, is an act of creation."

This one really touched my heart today because I thought of God as I was reading it. God our creator loves us so much and has a wonderful plan for us in this life. He made this plan available and abundant through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

Let's take a look at the first part of this saying, "Choosing what you want to do...".

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 .

God created us in His image and likeness. Genesis 1:26-27

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all thing consist." Colossians 1:16-17

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" Revelation 4:11

God was the creator from day one, which was a choice that He made because it pleased Him.

God is Spirit and He created us to worship Him in Spirit and in truth to carrying out His will/purpose for our lives so that we may dwell in the house of the Lord forever. John 4:24 ,Psalm 23:6

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." When God chooses you, become humble servant, deny your fleshly desires, and tell the Lord to "use me and have thine own way". When you deny yourselves you show God that you trust Him and that you cannot survive without Him. Thank you God in Christ Jesus for loving me!

"...and when to do it, ..." Written by the Apostle Paul, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. -Ephesians 1:4-6

He showed His love for us by choosing/sending His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins, while we were yet sinners. -Romans 5:8 This could not have be planned any better than how God planned it. He chose the right time to carry out His plan for the life of His Son. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." - Romans 10:4

Glory be to God in the Highest!!!!

Be blessed!!

Renewal of the Mind

In Romans 12, we are called to be servants for the kingdom by presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God. (verse 1) This requires us NOT to conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds [in Christ Jesus] that we may prove what the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God is. (verse 2) We as children of God face many challenges in our lives that take a toll on our spiritual health. But the Apostle Paul shows encouragement by telling us to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because we know that our work for the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 This scripture says something here because it lets us know that what we do for the Lord ONLY will last a lifetime. But it starts with our mindset. If we speak of evil, corruption, and perversion to our situation, we are feeding the spirit of evil temptation to our flesh, which shall surely perish. However, if we speak of things that are noble, true, pure, and righteous, we are feeding and speaking life to our situation. As Christians we are tempted daily by evil spirits. Some may be obvious and some may deceive us by the marvel of an outward appearance. However, in Ephesians 6: 11, the Apostle Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to withstand the schemes of devil. I truly believe that Satan studies us and our lives to find the weak areas that we struggle with, so we must have an keen mindset with our whole armor of God on at all times. There is no telling when Satan may send demons to attack you.

*I encourage you and challenge you to seek God's Kingdom and ALL His righteous first.*

As you think about the world we live in, why do you think so many people are so selfish, self-centered, and mean to one another?

Be blessed!

Called to be a light in dark places

Looking at Matthew 5, Jesus is preaching His sermon on a mountain in front of a multitude of people and His disciples. He is teaching them the Beatitudes and in verses 13-16, how to be the salt of the earth and a light in a world full of darkness. When I think of being the salt of the earth, I think about what salt is used for and our purpose while on this earth. Salt adds flavor and preserves food. In the same way, we are called to be that seasoning/flavor in this world filled with corruption, perversion, and distraction. For example, have you ever walked into a room and noticed the negative attitude of some people or drove on a highway and seen drivers filled with rage? This negative attitude and rage promotes an aroma filled with stinch and causes people to draw/flee from them because they make themselves look and act like fools. However, Jesus is calling us to be a light in the midst of the an aroma filled with stinch. When we walk in a room or drive on the highway, people should see Jesus Christ in us and draw near and praise God in heaven. (verse 16) Essentially, we are not to hide the person we are in Christ, but rather have integrity and stand as a Christian who is sold out for Jesus. Therefore, when we step in a room, drive our car, converse with one another, witness to our friends, or pray for one another, we as Christians should shine with a positive 'swagger' (if you will) of praise and worship because God is so worth it and He made us to worship Him.

What are you doing to be the salt of the earth in your community?

Be blessed!

Distractions

A lot of times we as Christians may become distracted by what is going in society, causing us to lose our focus. Satan knows how to make something so bad for us seem delightful. For example, after you have worshiped and fellowshipped at your church or participated in personal praise and worship in the convenience of your own household, the devil tries to attack an area that he knows you are weak in. The devil uses people to make you feel bad, by talking about, for example, the type of job may you have, sinful thoughts, and other materialistic things you don't have. However, the Apostle Paul encourages us by stating in 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." This the verse is calling us as children of the only true and living God, to stay focused, not conform to the ways and wickedness of the world, and to dwell in the will of the Lord our God. No matter what people may think about you. We are called to be God fearing and not people pleasers.

Moreover, the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." This scripture holds us as Christians to a higher standard, because being a Christian is a lifestyle and not a Sabbath day show. We are to be a light, rightly dividing the word of truth, in dark places. Jesus is coming back, and because He gave His life so that the church can take on holiness and be blameless, He expects us to dwell in holiness and present ourselves as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish. Ephesians 2:27 For instance, you cannot expect to do your best by studying for a test the night before. You must prepare yourself daily by reviewing the material a head of time. The same is with heaven, because we do not know when Christ is coming back, we should be prepared and study to show ourselves approved unto Him, because Jesus is so worthy, we owe Him our all and all, and He is the ONLY way to heaven.

How is your personal walk with Christ? Are there areas that you struggle with? Have a prayer request?

Feel free to drop a comment.

Be Blessed!

Blessed to Be A Blessing to Others

God continues to use me each and every day. I am highly excited about the work He has done through and in me to be a blessing others. My days seem that much better even in the midst of the enemy's temptations and attacks. I love you God for being everything to me, and anointing and entrusting me with the ability to minister to others through music. Every time I sound my trumpet or sing a song in praise and worship, I think about Your name getting all the glory and all the honor it truly deserves.

While reading Matthew 25: 34-40, I couldn't help but think of the anointing God has place in me. God blesses us to be a blessing to others. For when we bless others, we do this unto Christ Jesus! Oh Jesus, Precious Jesus!!! Next time you see someone that has a need, and you can meet that need, please do so, because you are doing it for Christ! When we know who we are working for, the work is that much more important, and it holds a certain priority in our lives. God showed love for us by sending His one and only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. Essentially, what to really take from that is how deep that love was, because in Roman 5:8, the Apostle Paul states that, "But God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". So as we see someone in need, and you can meet that need, no matter if you know them or not, treat them like you want to be treated, and more importantly, how you would treat, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Be Blessed!