Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
We pray you are well and prospering in the LORD. First, if you haven't already, we would like to urge you to start your New Year off by submitting your life to CHRIST. For time is drawing even more nigh, than when we first believed. I can hear the Mothers of ole saying, "Get your house in order"! Submitting your life to Christ is simple; it just takes a made up mind to REPENT, be baptized (spiritually & naturally so), believe that Jesus is LORD, and begin to be NOT only a Hearer of the Word of God, but also a DOER. If you are need of a Church home and spiritual guidance, we invite you to share in the worship at Joyful News Christian Church. Please see our home page for Worship times and directions. We look forward to seeing you soon!!
I was in conversation and the Lord begin to speak to me concerning the Household of Faith. This Sunday, we begin a series entitled, Anointed but Addicted (Psalm 51:10). David has been noted as being the writer of this text and when we review the circumstances behind why this particular Psalm was penned, we gain a greater understanding and appreciation for David's request unto God. In the book of 2 Samuel, the 11th chapter, David saw a woman bathing and lusted after her so much so that he inquired of her and sent for her for himself. This woman was married and her husband was fighting in war for the Lord under David's leadership. Howbeit David, being the king, had need of this woman; we are sure it would have been unwise to resist the KING. However, it was and still is today also unlawful for another man to lie with another man's wife. Nonetheless, David did NOT resist. Soon later Bathsheba informed King David of her pregnancy. David panics and sends for her husband to come home. This was in effort to cover up his wrong doing.
Isn't that just like the guilty? Instead of admitting the WRONG, the guilty always try to hide, sneak and get away. But the Word of God declares that whatever is done in the dark shall be brought to light (good or bad). So therefore it is best to always do what is RIGHT in God's eyesight. As we continue with the story, Uriah (Bathsheba's husband) comes home but is so loyal to his colleagues in war, til he doesn't enjoy the pleasure of being at home and does NOT take comfort in lying with his wife. David devises a scheme and has Uriah put on the frontline of the battle and informs the troops to withdraw from him. The enemy's desire is NOT only to bewitch you but to kill, steal, and destroy you, along with everything connected to you. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength and mount upon wings as an eagle, run and not be weary, walk and NOT faint.
As you can see David has a PROBLEM. He not only is an adulterer, but now a murderer too. David does NOT get off easily, for the LORD sends the prophet Nathan to remind him of his error. David repents and begins a fast, but unfortunately, his baby dies. Having said all of this to urge you that even in your turmoil, distress, depression, heartache, pain, ups and downs, weariness, you can still be ANOINTED, but yet in need of deliverance.
Deliverance only comes when you are honest with God and others; admit your problem.
Present your body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. This is your reasonable service. Being NOT conformed to this world but being transformed by the renewing of your mind.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart; God will NOT despise.
Walk in the Spirit that you might NOT fulfill the lust of the flesh.
In all your ways acknowledge HIM and He will direct thy path.
Always study to show thyself approved a workman unto GOD, that needeth NOT to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Make your request today unto the LORD for a renovation of your mind, heart, spirit and soul. That you may be made ready for the return coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
In Genesis 37:3-4; 20 the Word of God tells us of how Joseph was despised by his brothers because of the dream he had. The dream simply was a tip off of his future, which God had ordained. However, there are trials in our life that try to hinder us from reaching and/or fulfilling our God given destiny. We must remember to remain focused and always seek the LORD in all things, for HE is a rewarder to them that diligently seek HIM. Even when thrown into the pits of life, as Joseph was so many times, he yet remained humble and continued to serve those who had need of him. Like Christ, though often times not deserved, HE keeps on doing great things for us. Come on and shout "Glory" with me! All I'm trying to say is when you find yourself in a situation, especially if the enemy has orchestrated and set a plot/scheme/wicked device for you, "lift up your head, O' ye gates". You may get weak, feel counted out, despised, lonely, and even frustrated - but know that GOD has already set the plan to prosper you and give you an expected end.
To inherit the Kingdom and the favor of the LORD, we must go through and pass the test of life and learn to suffer successfully while being made whole. I can hear the song - "soon as I stop worrying, worrying how the story ends, I let go and I let GOD, let God have HIS way; that's when things start happening, I stop looking at back then, I let go and I let GOD, let GOD have His way." I say today, hear the words of the song and realize that what you going through are not to break you but rather make you. And like Joseph, though thrown away and forgotten about, lied on and mis-used, the Father (Jacob and for us Jehovah GOD) has not forgot. The pit is to bring you to the Palace ((St John 10:10; 14:2).
During the weekend of June 22nd through June 24th, I had the pleasure of celebrating my 20th high school class reunion. It's was a blast to see many of my class mates and their families. Listening to their testimonies of success and even heartache. I came to realize that - "We made it"!
In St John 5, there was a man who was sick with an infirmity thirty and eight years, which happens to be the age of most of my high school classmates at this time. The man, along with many others, was waiting at the pool called Bethesda, for the angel of the LORD to come and trouble (stir up) the water at a certain season. Whoever entered the pool first, after the troubling of the water, was made whole of whatever disease he had. Jesus comes on the scene and sees the man with his issue and KNEW he had been there a long time. Jesus asks a question, "will thou be made whole"? Be comforted in knowing that God has not forgot and HE sees you, and has promised to never leave us nor forsake us but be with us til the end of the world. When the opportunity is presented and the way is made clear, don’t be like the man and make an excuse, but rather simply say YES and receive the blessing God has in store for you! Don’t allow the pressures of life to consume your hope.
Yes there are some who have passed on whether by natural cause, illness, and or violence. Still there are some of us whom the LORD has spared and made us to survive. We don’t know for what reason or cause that GOD spared us and gave us another opportunity, but it is NOT taking lightly. Father God, it the name of Jesus, we appreciate you and the precious Sacrifice that was paid to redeem us from sin, death, hell and destruction. Continue to be glorified in our life and have your holy way in whatever manner you see fit to do.
While preparing to minister for a Women's Conference, the Lord opened up my understanding. In Numbers 27 the Word begins to tell us about the daughters of Zolephead going before Moses and the Priest to ask for their father's inheritance. It was the custom in those days that the eldest son would receive the inheritance and/or the responsibility of the family. If there was no son, then the inheritance would go to the brother or next MALE kinsman. Because there was no other MALE in the family lineage, in the text Moses goes before the LORD to enquire of HIM what to do. The LORD agreed with the daughters and instructed Moses to give them their portion/inheritance. Even in the bible days, God was not concerned with GENDER, but rather your position. As I pondered on this matter, the Holy Ghost revealed to me not only does HE have an inheritance for us but rather, what we are to HIM...an inheritance. Inheritance: 1.) all of the genetic characters transmitted from the parent to the offspring; 2.) to receive possession of; especially as a right or divine portion.
From the foundation of the world, God created everything that man needed, not just for living but also for pleasure. The fall of man caused a separation from the sweet innocent communion of God. However, Jesus paid the price to redeem us from the penalty of sin that we may look like GOD (in His image). Hebrews 12 - Because we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that does so easily beset us; running with patience the race set before us. Verse 2 says, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the JOY (cheerfulness; delight; gladness) that was set before him, endure the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of throne of God. Because of the ultimate price being paid, we now have the opportunity to rule and have dominion as we were created to do from the beginning. We are a city that sits on a hill and cannot be hid. This is why we must maintain our integrity and live as the inheritance of GOD, because the LIGHT exposes everything that's not like God and it appears magnified on the church. WE are the inheritance of GOD. It's high time to go into the hedges and highways being witnesses and making disciples of men that the House of God may be filled.
Hello Sons, "I have an inheritance"; Hello Sons, "I am an inheritance"! When we recognize the anointing on our lives as Sons and the power that has been given to us, we bless those that curse us and pray for them that despitefully use us; the frustration on the jobs will cease because we now accept our call to be witnesses to someone else; it's easier to trust in the LORD with all thine heart, acknowledging Him in all our ways and lean not to our own understanding. No matter what your gender, we were all created to bring God glory!
Hello Sons, "I have an inheritance"; Hello Sons, "I am an inheritance"! The earth is travailing, creation groaneth for the sons of God to come forth. Christ did not pay such a price for trees and animals, but if these (the inheritance of God) hold their peace; He will cause the very rocks to cry out. I won’t allow a rock to take my place as the inheritance of God. The Lord wants a return off his investment, the Ruach, that was given to you from the beginning. Let everything that has breath praise ye the LORD. Give God back what He gave to you. Don’t just settle for making a living but be the LIVING. We don’t just have an inheritance but we ARE an INHERITANCE.
