"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Matthew 5:7
My baby boy commutes to college and since his car is down, I have been transporting him back and forth to campus. This morning, in particular, while waiting at the stop light, I turned to my right and saw a gentleman who appeared to be under the influence. My first thought was, “What in the world is wrong with him?” As if to interrupt my thoughts, the Father spoke expressly and said, “That is My son. I love him but he is bound by drug demons.” I felt convicted in my spirit and immediately began to pray for “God’s son who was bound by drugs.”
Last night, in my studies, I came across a scenario in scripture that talked about the mercy of God. After my experience this morning, I knew it was confirmation to what the Lord wanted me to share today on my podcast. I titled the message “The Art of Mercy” because we are not born merciful; we must be taught how to have compassion on others. In the message, I expounded on Proverbs 6:16-19; Luke 11:5-8, and James 2:13 as I attempted to bring an understanding as to why God expects us to be compassionate. I used some personal examples, too, that I hope will inspire you to consider the matter, weigh it against your own actions and see what God reveals to you about you. Let the message bless you.
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"And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself." Matthew 27:5
Today, I felt led to talk about the grace for relationships and what they look like when they are about to expire. I used Jesus’ relationships with Judas and Peter as a foundation for the message and examined them through the lenses of what renders a relationship sustainable and what the indicators are for when a relationship is expiring. You will hear tactical solutions for handling your own ‘complicated’ relationship seasons and perhaps walk away with a greater appreciation for the relationships that lasted. You will understand why some had to end, and you will also learn the importance of being honest with your own emotions in the process. Let the message bless you.
"And the Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee." Deuteronomy 7:22
Today’s message deals with the frustrating concept of waiting on God to perform a promise He’s made. Israel had wandered for forty years and now they were finally approaching a moment of breakthrough. I am sure they were excited to break out into their own, to finally build, plant, and establish but then God says, “little by little!” What? When you’ve waited years for a thing and then it is revealed to you in increments, how do you respond? Or when God promises you something great, but it seems like you can’t get past the small thing, how do you deal with that?
In this podcast, I talk about what the anxiety and frustration looks like when it seems as if God is taking too long, the breakthrough is dripping and not flowing, and when it seems as if there are still people in your way of what belongs to you. Take a listen and be blessed by today’s message. "The Lord our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount." DEUTERONOMY 1:6
There are some of us who have taken entirely too long to do what God has called us to. We have procrastinated, made excuses, became complacent, and did everything else except what was required. Those are cases where we had frustrated the grace of a season when God destined for a thing to be done. You may never know whose lives are affected by your decision to NOT conform to God’s word. You may never know whose lives may never improve; they may never reach heights in their spiritual, physical, financial, or personal walk if we were the ones slated to help them get there and we resisted the timing of the Lord.
Moses reminded Israel that their wilderness season should have only lasted eleven days, not forty years. People died, battles were fought, and family relationships were destroyed because Israel took an eleven-day promise and made it into a forty-year problem. Do not let that be your portion. Agree with God, cooperate with Him, and partner with Him to bring His will into the earth without Him having to fight you along the way. Let this word bless you! "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel." Judges 2:10
I love to rise early and spend time in the presence of my Father. As I rose before Him this morning seeking for direction and clarity for a very demanding day, I settled myself down and watched a news broadcast. Upon viewing a certain segment, I heard the Lord say, “They’re (referring to something I had just seen) are the nation that forgot God.” I was like, “WOW!” I sort of sat back in amazement at what I heard and started pouring through scripture to see what the Word of God says in detail about it. From that brief study, I birthed this morning’s talk. As I began sharing on the podcast, it became apparent that what needed to be shared had to be divided into two segments so a part two is forthcoming. Nevertheless, the Spirit of God moved expressly in the message and I pray you can hear what He is saying to you. Be blessed as you listen.
"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Revelation 19:10
How many times have you asked yourself if what you heard prophetically was God, on point, and in fact, coming true? Even the seasoned among us have asked those questions. As I pondered some things before the Lord last night, I birthed this teaching to share with the Body what things we should consider when weighing if a word is accurate, is it coming to pass, and what to do when confronted by a false prophet. I used the examples of Hannah, Joseph, and of course, our Lord and Savior to conclude that if what is written in Revelation is the litmus test for vetting the accuracy of prophecy, we should undoubtedly know what God is saying, what He’s doing, and what our subsequent roles are. Be blessed by today’s podcast.
"As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." Daniel 1:7"And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman." Ruth 3:9
Ruth was a woman who demonstrated the laws of reciprocity. She lived a sacrificial life and as a result, God opened the heavens for her. Ruth was a young woman, young enough to remarry and bear children after the untimely death of her husband, but she chose instead to serve her destitute and distraught mother-in-law, Naomi. Even after Naomi urged Ruth to return to her family, Ruth denied herself that pleasure and maintained her loyalty to Naomi. Ruth became a seed. She didn't just sow seed; Ruth became seed in Naomi's life and God, who cannot be mocked, was obligated by virtue of His own word, to reward Ruth substantially.
Take a listen at today's podcast on the lesson of sowing and reaping as it pertains to Ruth's life and let it challenge you in any area where you may need it. Let it inspire you to be your best in all you do that God will take delight in you and bless your life accordingly. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." Isaiah 55:8Have you ever asked God for something in prayer and when He answers it, the answer looks nothing like what you asked for? I know I am not the only one! I have been praying for a particular thing for quite a while, but I had no idea how God was going to manifest it. (In fact, I just felt my inner man leap because I feel an answer to another prayer is on the way! Hallelujah!) Anyway, I had been lifting this certain thing before the Lord for quite some time, and though He tarried, I waited. All of a sudden, it happened. Only, it did not come as I expected! In fact, I had to be convinced of the answer to my own prayer! Can you believe that?
While I was totally surprised by how God manifested my answer, I was grateful. He heard me, and He answered me; that was all that mattered, but it sure made for a teachable moment. I am certain I am not the only who envisions what our answered prayer will look like. Like our Heavenly Father, we have the visionary capacity. We see what we want and then as prophetic people, we move in faith towards its manifestations. However, what happens when the thing you believed for comes wrapped in an awkward box? What happens when what you were waiting on looks nothing like what you expected? Father knows best so trust me, you will rejoice, nonetheless. Isaiah said it plainly, and we cannot miss it. He tells us not to even bother with trying to figure out the ways of our God. He will always surpass our understanding. The Jews of Jesus’ day assumed He would make His grand entrance riding on the back of a stallion. To their frustration, He rode the back of a borrowed donkey! Go figure! God does His own thing! Whatever you do, my friend, do not underestimate the cleverness of our God. He will come through for you, yes, but He will also perform that thing how He deems fit. So brace yourself to welcome the answer to your prayers but in that, remain cognizant of the fact that God is a wonder all by Himself. He has His way in the whirlwind, and when He postures Himself to see about you, He will blow your mind. Get ready! "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Genesis 12:1-3 |
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