What Does The Word Say?

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) This verse of scripture came to mind as I was seeking the Lord for what to share for my final blog of 2011. I thought of many other things, but as I read this verse in regards to the close of the year, it was quite appropriate. The close of the year signifies transition. It's like the close of a chapter of a great novel; the previous chapter ended and it is now time to transition into what is to come in the next chapter. This is where we are now. 2011 has come to a close and it is time to turn the page into 2012. For some, this creates a great sense of relief because of the hardships and challenges of the previous year. Finally, a fresh start. For some, the close of the year and beginning of a new year creates a sense of expectation and anticipation. This is the year for the manifestation of my expectations. For some, it's a time of resolutions. Time to get the ...

The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths." Many of us know this scripture by heart, but is it in our hearts to the point that we are applying it to our every day lives? I know for myself that I have asked the question, "What does it mean to 'acknowledge Him'?" I have heard many messages on the subject, but the statement, "acknowledge Him," still seemed ambiguous. Therefore, I, as perhaps you have too, struggled to acknowledge God and find it difficult to apply this scripture to your every day life. Today I want to bring some clarity to that phrase. Very simply put, to acknowledge God is to consider Him. Take a look at these two verses. Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. Hebrews 12:3 For consider him...

The other day while I was praying, the Lord spoke this to my heart, "It all boils down to trust. Will you trust Me to do what I have said in My word? Trust in Me with ALL your heart and lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge Me in ALL your ways and I will direct your paths says the Lord." This word just resonated in my spirit as life has been presenting itself unfavorably in a few areas. Then today during my devotion time I was reading an article from a newsletter that our Bishop had written. In this article he was sharing about the Ten Kingdom Keys to Maturity. Key number 2 is The Ability to Trust God When Things Go Wrong. This is what he stated about this key: "Trust in God when things go wrong, when people disappoint you, when you are mystified and don't know why things are happening to you." As I read this, I knew God was speaking to my heart to trust Him when I don't know why things are going the way they are going. One of the scripture ref...

Have you ever watched a track meet and one of the runners crossed over into his or her opponents lane? Most of the time, if not all the time, because of the crossing over, someone gets hurt or doesn't finish the race. When I think of this in terms of a believer's walk with the Lord, the implications are clear. Stay in your lane to avoid problems and pitfalls. God has created each and everyone of us with a specific purpose (or lane) that we are to function in. Romans 12:4-6 says, "For as we have many members in one body , and all members have not the same office: So we , being many , are one body in Christ , and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us , whether prophecy , let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith." In other words everyone in the body has different gifts that we are to function in the capacity that God has given us to function. This is a powerful truth and frees us all up fr...