Word of the Day (12-22-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Thursday December 22, 2011

The word of the day comes a little different today. Although I acknowledge the holidays sometimes through the word, I can’t recall ever really saying to have a safe holiday. Today I simply want to say that a great part of my Christmas has been the favor God has shown me to touch so many lives, especially through the Word of the Day (WOTD). To look past me, my faults, my failures, my shortcomings and say that I can STILL be used for His good purpose is remarkable. I know me and to think that God so loves me…matter fact to all of us is well…Incredible. I truly hope you get whatever you wanted under the tree but I pray more so than just gifts that you have a special encounter with God, that I have a special encounter with God that changes our lives permanently forever. That before the New Year changes we aren’t worried about New Year’s resolutions because our heart has had a greater change toward the things of God that we refuse to go backwards. Enjoy your family, enjoy your friends, enjoy your sports J but mostly importantly, enjoy the Lord and Savior who could’ve stayed in heaven with the Father and left us to sort out our own sins and let us die in our sins but He told the Father I love them too much, I have to do something, I will be their sacrifice, I will come from a heavenly place and put on human form and enter the world in a dingy, stinky manger with no recognition and I will only use my deity to help someone else. I love them they are worth it to Me…thank you JESUS.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone. I have a lot to do today before I head to NY J so I am almost certain this will be the last word received until next week/next year...we’ll see. Once again love you all much, have a great time and travel safely this season.  

Have a wonderful, blessed, productive, stress free day!

Word of the Day (12-19-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday December 19, 2011

The word of the day comes from

2 Timothy 4:3

New International Version (NIV)

³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Word of the Day (12-15-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Thursday December 15, 2011

The word of the day comes from Jeremiah 29:10

¹⁰ This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.^[1] That is key because what God shows us in verse 10 leads me to my first point.

We can trust God knows what He is doing

Word of the Day (12-13-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Tuesday December 13, 2011

The word of the day comes from

Psalm 51:10 NKJV

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Issue with Our H.E.A.R.T. (Having Enough and Refusing Temperance)

(part of a study I have been working on)

Word of the Day (12-8-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Thursday December 8, 2011

The word of the day comes from

1 Corinthians 15:58

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Word of the Day (11-30-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday November 30, 2011

The word of the day comes a little different today. I woke up this morning with this song in my spirit..."your Glory, I need your Glory, I need your Glory..."

I can't speak for anyone else but I know me. I know I can't make it without Jesus. Everyday and I mean everyday I need Him. I need Him to keep my spirit, to keep my mind, to keep my heart, to keep me joyful, to keep me at peace, to keep me loving, to keep me faithful, to keep me kind, to keep me good, to keep period. There is absolutely nothing that I can do without Jesus. Nothing. If you think you can, you are fooling yourself.

Word of the Day (11-28-11)

Mindset- Reevaluating How We View a New Day

Scriptures:

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

Romans 12:2 (a) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…

Message:

Good morning to everyone. I know that Monday mornings for most people normally is the worst day of the week. You have Tuesday which is an ok day, Wednesday which is hump day (or the week is almost over day), Thursday which is one more day until Friday, Friday which excites you for the weekend, Saturday which allows you to get done the things you want to, and Sunday which you are torn between enjoying the Lord’s Day and knowing it also marks the end of the weekend/the day before you have to go back to work. Unfortunately, we lose sight of one of the most important days of the week, Monday because it signifies new beginnings…if you let it.

You see, it really depends on how you to choose to see it. Mondays for most is the realization that the weekend is over and that you have to go back to the job that you hate, with the boss you dislike and coworkers you can’t stand. Mondays is where you haven’t quite settled back into work mode, still dwelling on yesterday. Mondays can symbolically be viewed as a person who looks back on their life and realizes they haven’t accomplished everything they planned to up until this point. Every Friday you look and say this weekend I am going to do this, this and this. Then Sunday night rolls around and you think the weekend was too short, I didn’t accomplish everything I wanted. Monday can seem like a mirror that reflects all that we didn’t accomplish that we set out to. Similar to how birthdays for some reflect the time of year when we realize that the dreams and aspirations we have, we have yet to attain/achieve.

As a result, I have realized that for most people, Monday is their least favorite day. For me, it is the opposite. I actually find Mondays to be my favorite of the work week. Why, because it reminds that whatever I didn’t get to finish the prior week, whatever work was undone the prior week, whatever task/goal/duty/assignment that I didn’t get to finish last week, this marks a new week to get that goal accomplished.

I have a new opportunity to complete the same task/goal/duty/assignment that I didn’t finish prior. What I like to do Sunday night (for home) and Monday morning (for work) is write a new to do list for the week and begin to cross off things on the list as I do them. Why, because everyone loves to feel like they are accomplishing and finishing a task so writing it out and seeing it allows us tangibly see what we are finishing. Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Secondly, having the mindset that Mondays is a new beginning, allows us to never feel like we are too late, too old, too far removed to accomplish the task at hand. My Bishop got really caught up in the Spirit one Sunday when he read Numbers 23:19-20 “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

It was if the word became rema unto him at the very moment he was preaching. All he could muster before the Spirit overwhelmed him was “the deal is still on.” You know what I think of when I think the deal is still on, it reminds me of two things: One in order for the thought to cross my mind that the deal is still on, it must mean that I didn’t accomplish what I was supposed to prior. I left something undone. I didn’t complete something. Because I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain, I assumed the contract was null and void. I assumed that God would move on. Yet God is saying, I haven’t moved on, I still have need of you. Change your mind set. Stop thinking that because you messed up, this is it. There is no way that you can still be used, still be effective, still get done what I need you to get done. God is asking us, when did I ever say that you only get one try to complete the task? I simply said complete the task! I knew you would mess up prior to completing which is why I left you 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Two, if the deal is still on, we no longer have to dwell on the should’ve, could’ve, would’ve in life, thus hindering what we could be doing in the here and now. We have right here and right now to accomplish the task that God has given us, so why do we remain so focused on what we didn’t accomplish? I didn’t finish school whether it be GED, high school diploma, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree and now I have kids who are going through it. So what, get out there and get that degree! I had this idea the Lord gave me to start this business but this was 5-10 years ago. By now either the idea has been done by somebody else or it’s probably outdated. No, the deal is still on. If you decide to trust God in doing it, He will make it happen.

We have to get to the place where we are willing to change our mindset towards the situation at hand. If we are willing to change our mindset, I promise you God will be willing to change your Mondays (reevaluating how we view the new day) into continual Saturdays of being able to accomplish that in which He purposed and planned in your life. 

Have a wonderful, blessed, productive, stress free day!

Word of the Day (11-21-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday November 21, 2011

As we do yearly, I like to take this time to reflect on God’s grace and mercy and the many reasons we have to be thankful. Now as Christians we should be giving God the glory with thankful hearts everyday because we realize He is our strength, our deliverer, our redeemer, our covering, our provider, our sanctifier, our banner, our protector, our friend, our healer, our Father, our Savior, our Helper, our cleansing, our first love, our everything. Jesus tells us that we can do all things with Him and nothing without Him. I don’t know what has been going on in your life lately. I don’t know what you have struggled with. I don’t know what has you depressed, has you down, has you sulking, has you envious, has you jealous, and has you covetous but STOP IT! God has been TOO GOOD to you. Yes to you! In spite of how things have looked of late in your life: marriage, kids, job, health, finances or whatever else you want to throw in there. He has kept you. You know how I know because He is a keeper.

Word of the Day (11-18-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Friday November 18, 2011

The word of the day comes from Joshua 1:16-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹⁶ They answered Joshua, “We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us. ¹⁷ We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. ¹⁸ Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!”

Word of the Day (11-14-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday November 14, 2011

The word of the day comes from Joshua 24:15 KJV

¹⁵And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Word of the Day (11-4-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Friday November 4, 2011

The word of the day comes from

Isaiah 54:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
    And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
    You shall condemn.
    This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
    And their righteousness is from Me,”
    Says the LORD.

Word of the Day (11-2-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday November 2^nd 2011

The word of the day comes from

Joshua 1:16-18

English Standard Version (ESV)

 ¹⁶And they answered Joshua, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. ¹⁷Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses! ¹⁸Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous."

Word of the Day (10-31-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday October 31, 2011

The word of the day comes from Joshua 1:6-9 New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. ⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Word of the Day (10-28-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Friday October 28, 2011

The word of the day comes from Joshua 1:3-5 New International Version (NIV)

³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Word of the Day (10-26-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday October 26, 2011

The word of the day comes from Joshua 1:1-2

Joshua Installed as Leader

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.^[1]

Word of the Day (10-19-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday October 19, 2011

The word of the day comes from Hebrews 11:29 ESV (English Standard Version)

By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

Word of the Day (10-17-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday October 17, 2011

The word of the day comes from Jeremiah 17:14 ESV (English Standard Version)

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.

My Interpretation

The new living translation says it like this: O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!

Word of the Day (9-19-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday September 19, 2011

The word of the day comes from

Hebrews 10:22

New International Version (NIV)

²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Word of the Day (9-15-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Thursday September 15, 2011

The word of the day comes from Proverbs 18:16 NKJV

¹⁶ A man’s gift makes room for him,
      And brings him before great men.

Word of the Day (9-12-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday September 12, 2011

The word of the day comes from Job 2:9-10 NIV

 ⁹ His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
 ¹⁰ He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
   In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Word of the Day (9-9-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Friday September 9, 2011

The word of the day comes from Psalm 116 but comes a little different today. On Wednesday I got to call back home and speak with one of my closest friends in Brooklyn NY. He gave me some disturbing news. I told him that I had planned to go Labor Day weekend but at the last minute backed out because I didn’t want to deal with traffic going or coming back so I would just hang out with family here. He told me I really dodged a bullet by not coming. He said Brooklyn was a war zone last weekend, so bad that on Labor Day he didn’t even go outside for fear of safety and he ALWAYS goes where he wants. Over the holiday weekend, there were 48 shootings in 48 hrs throughout the borough of Brooklyn. It was sickening and heart wrenching to hear. It had me so sad for the lives lost or affected by the shootings. Thankfully not all 48 shootings resulted in fatalities but it had me thinking how I used to be out there. Labor Day weekend in NY was a staple for me and the last time that I can truly say I went there to hang out like that we ducked bullets for 30 minutes and I told the Lord that if he got me out of there safe the only time they would see me in the hood is to give somebody an opportunity to meet Jesus. And I haven’t looked back since. As I reflect on that Labor Day as vividly as I remember yesterday and think about all that God has kept me from, my heart is poured out with gratitude. Today I don’t want to interpret a word but allow Psalm 116 to interpret itself. I pray today that you are safe, that you are grateful that God has saved you and pulled you out of some places and that you are praying for the mindset of those who are still in places that could potentially cause harm to them and that the Lord would grant them grace enough to receive Christ. Have a blessed and safe weekend!

Word of the Day (9-7-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday September 7, 2011

The word of the day comes from Psalm 118:24 NLT

²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Word of the Day (8-31-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday August 31, 2011

The word of the day comes from Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Word of the Day (8-26-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Friday August 26, 2011

The word of the day comes from Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Hebrews 11

Faith in Action

 ¹ Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Word of the Day (8-24-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday August 24, 2011

The word of the day comes from John 13:1-5 NIV

John 13

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

 ¹ It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

 ² The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Word of the Day (8-22-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday August 22, 2011

The word of the day comes from Philippians 2:5-11 NIV

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!  ⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Word of the Day (8-12-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Friday August 12, 2011

The word of the day comes from Psalm 90:17 NIV

¹⁷ May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
   establish the work of our hands for us—
   yes, establish the work of our hands.

Word of the Day (8-8-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday August 8, 2011

The word of the day comes from Romans 5:8

⁸ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

My Interpretation

What I really love about this verse is that it doesn’t show anything that we did. The entire verse is about us without us having to do anything. There are certain times where my brain will begin (to no avail) to wrap around the concept of how much God loves us. Each one of us in our own way I’m sure can attest at some point in time, to feeling inadequate, undeserving, unworthy, not privileged, too guilty, too sinful, beyond help to be in the mere presence of God, let alone know that He would demonstrate the ULTIMATE ACT OF LOVE for us by giving His life for ours. It just doesn’t seem rational.

Word of the Day (8-5-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Friday August 5, 2011

The word of the day comes a little different today. I was blessed as I opened my email and read a daily word that I receive from a friend as a forward. God has been doing some tremendous things in my life as of late (He is always doing tremendous things in my life but these are directly related to my prayers I keep sending Him). It just brought me comfort and reassurance of the path that God is laying before me reading today’s word. I know that others are on a mission for God and are being led, sometimes in directions we have an idea other times we don’t. Either way, continue to remember that God ultimately is ALWAYS in control and trust in the path that He has laid out before you. Be blessed during this lovely weekend!

Word of the Day (8-3-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday August 3, 2011

The word of the day comes from Matthew 24:36-44

New International Version (NIV)

The Day and Hour Unknown

    ³⁶ “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰ Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

  ⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Word of the Day (7-27-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday July 27, 2011

The word of the day comes a little different today. I woke up this morning feeling really grateful. Leading up to my birthday, I wasn’t really excited. Not sad, depressed or anything like that but just didn’t feel any kind of ways towards it. This morning when I woke up however and realized that God kept me not just another day but another year, it really hit me that I’m still here, that God has kept me and allowed me another day with Him and my family here on earth. Two things then popped in my head. Nas had a song back in the day where he started “I woke up on my born day 20 (I’m 29 today) it’s a blessing” and it is. The second thing that popped in my head is this 21:03 record “I’m Still Here.” This record has been on repeat for 3 days. As far as gospel goes, this is my favorite record right now. So since this record has been such a blessing, I wanted to share the words with you today and encourage you to check it out on Amazon, iTunes or YouTube. It is truly an awesome and anointed record. Be blessed and for those who I know who share my birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Happy we are able to share it together in the blood of Jesus!

Word of the Day (7-25-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday July 25, 2011

The word of the day comes from Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

My Interpretation

There are many things that jump out to me as I read this scripture: 1) we will have to walk through (not stop) some uncomfortable situations in our Christian walk, 2) what we walk through that is uncomfortable for us may feel like it’s the end but its merely the image of doom and not actually doom, 3) we serve a God who is with us and stronger than our fear so there is no need to allow fear to consume us, 4) the mere presence of God can comfort us.

Word of the Day (7-22-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Friday July 22, 2011

The word of the day comes a little different today.

On Wednesday Bishop Charles H. Doom Jr brought up the fact that we are going into vacation month at our church, Southern Baptist Church Praise and Worship Center, here in Washington DC. Right before the cheers started, he got serious and asked the question “how many people have a prayer partner?” The majority of the congregation for bible study didn’t raise their hands. He stated the necessity of having a prayer partner especially knowing that rather than having the normal full week of ministry activities as we would, we will only meet for one service on Sunday at an early schedule. Bishop mentioned that this can become an opening/a doorway for the devil to enter because of all the free time we have (though ministry work should still be taking place) and that he didn’t want the devil to get any access to us so it was imperative that we have a prayer partner (someone we know is walking this Christian walk right and with us so that we can be accountable to).  

Word of the Day (7-20-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday July 20, 2011

The word of the day comes from Proverbs 22:6 Amplified Bible

⁶Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.

My Interpretation

The definition of the word train means to develop or form habits, thoughts, or behavior (of a child or another person) by discipline and instruction; to make proficient by instruction and practice, as in some art, profession, or work (according to http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/train).

Word of the Day (7-18-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday July 18, 2011

The word of the day comes from 1 John 1:9 (AMP) Amplified Bible

⁹If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

Word of the Day (7-5-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Tuesday July 5^th, 2011

First off, I pray that everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend with God, family and friends. Today I just want to encourage you to continue in your faith even when what you see is not what others see.

The Word of the Day comes from 1 Kings 18:41-45 NKJV

The Drought Ends

  
⁴¹ Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” ⁴² So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, ⁴³ and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.”
So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
⁴⁴ Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’”
⁴⁵ Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel.

My Interpretation

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit…James 5:17-18 NKJV. The Life Application in my Bible reads: The Christians most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. The results are often greater than we thought were possible. Some people see prayer as a last resort to be tried when all else fails. This approach is backward. Prayer should come first. Because God’s power is infinitely greater than ours, it only makes sense to rely on it-especially because God encourages us to do so.  

I keep thinking about this line: So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.” Did Elijah need Ahab to look to reassure himself about what would take place or help Ahab to see what Elijah already saw through God’s illumination to him? I believe it was the latter. Now there is something very significant in that. There are things that God has placed in us that will allow us to be reassured of God’s promise while those closest to us, unfortunately, the first time you tell them to see what you see, won’t see it. What I grasped from that realization is that unlike how we get when those we think should see our vision, share our faith, etc don’t see what we see, we waver and worry if God really ever spoke to us in the first place. Elijah, however, was confident in what he knew to be true and just simply waited for the natural eye of Ahab to catch up the spiritual eye he was seeing rain from.

It makes me think of this example: how I put music together. I hear a song in its entirety in my head. I know just how good a record can become but a lot of times I have trouble getting others to see it as well for various reasons in the beginning: I can’t make the beat for the music I hear and if there are singers, I can’t sing (carry a tune) long enough for them to grasp it. By God’s grace, I am able to convey enough and they are willing to keep trying until we get from “I hear nothing” to “there is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” What I have learned from that and other instances similar is that it is not on others to make what God has told me a reality. It’s on me. If people get it right away great but sometimes people need a visual/a sighting/something they can grasp “a cloud the size of a small man’s hand” to really run with the vision. That is ok. Elijah didn’t get mad at Ahab for not “getting it” the first time. We can’t get mad at others for not “getting it” the first time. Keep praying, keep studying, keep fasting, keep seeking God and allow Him to show others what you see.     

Remain encouraged in what God has told you and promised you. Whether people see it now or see later, stay focused on God. If you notice, in all the times that Ahab kept coming down off the mountain, this is what Elijah did: And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees. He wasn’t worried about what Ahab saw because Elijah’s focus was on God. When our focus is on God and we are in CONSTANT communication with Him, what others see from what others don’t see will make no difference to us because we know that we have the promise of what God sees and that is good enough to us.

Have a wonderful, blessed, productive, stress free day!

Word of the Day (Gamal's Daily Words of Inspiration): Word of the Day (6-29-11)

Word of the Day (Gamal's Daily Words of Inspiration): Word of the Day (6-29-11): "Good Morning Everyone Today is Wednesday June 29, 2011 The word of the day comes from 2 Chronicles 20:10-11 NKJV 10 And now, here are th..."

Have a wonderful, blessed, productive, stress free day!

Word of the Day (6-29-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Wednesday June 29, 2011

The word of the day comes from 2 Chronicles 20:10-11 NKJV

¹⁰ And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— ¹¹ here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit.

My Interpretation

Word of the Day (6-27-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Monday June 27, 2011

The word of the day comes from Proverbs 31:26-28 NKJV

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

Word of the Day (6-17-11)

Good Morning Everyone

Today is Friday June 17, 2011

The word of the day comes from 1 Corinthians 2:7-11 NLT

7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
   “No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
      and no mind has imagined
   what God has prepared
      for those who love him.”
 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.
My Interpretation

2 Timothy 3:16 reads 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. I love this scripture because it is helpful when people pose the question of how do we know that God wrote/inspired the bible because men wrote it. How do we know that God’s imprint and will is anywhere in this? Well this scripture lets us know that all scripture comes from God. We need to know that first and foremost.

Now the scripture today starts with us realizing that God is a mystery to people (us included as Christians) but we have a better chance of understanding the mysteries about God because we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Many times people can’t understand how you hold onto faith when your spouse leaves you whether from this earth or to another person. People can’t understand how you can keep giving your tithes and offerings when your light bill and water bill can be back in payment so long that you are using candles and bottled water to bathe. People can’t understand how your boss can be so belittling yet you bite your tongue against your own will but right in line with His, that you may be an example to others around you. People can’t understand how you can be in church so often: church is too long, too boring, too crazy, too hypocritical, etc. People can’t understand how you pray and praise God when your health from the doctor tells you that you are not in good shape. God is our peace but God being our peace is not understandable/relatable/comprehendible to those who don’t have God because they can’t have peace. I’m not talking about having religion, having a theologian degree, have rules/decrees/ordinances; I’m talking about a personal connected intact one on one relationship with Jesus Christ.

I understand and I get it. It is harder to comprehend that as bad as we have been in this life in our sin: lying, cheating, envious, jealous, malicious, drunks, on drugs, murders, rapist, thieves, womanizers, loose women, gamblers, etc. A lot of times we have condemned ourselves when God simply says if you come to me and repent of your sins, I will not condemn you. There is nothing you could do so bad that I will not accept you. You are not too far gone. What did Jesus say about the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery in John 8:1-12? You know the story. The people wanted to stone the girl because she was caught in the act and wanted to go to Jesus to see what His response would be because Jesus was a man of peace but the law stated that if you are caught in adultery, you should be stoned to death. Trying to catch Jesus in hypocrisy, Jesus simply told them: 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.  9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”  11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”


It doesn’t make sense but that is the awesomeness of God. His thinking is far superior to ours and His ways are far superior to ours (Isaiah 55:9). It’s hard to understand that God the Father would send His Son, Jesus Christ, to be savior of the world but He would be born in a manger with horses and stinky manure. That is not the entrance of a king. He would be born of a virgin in the projects (can any good thing come out of Nazareth?). That He would be a king who would be in the midst of sinners, the poor, the sick, that is not very kingly because He didn’t surround Himself with kings. That He would die on a cross and that His shed blood would our admittance into heaven. Nothing about the life of Jesus nor the way in which His 33 yrs on earth signifies what we would think regarding King of Heaven, Savior of the World, to come into the world but I guess if it made sense to everyone they wouldn’t have crucified Him. But thanks be to God that the foolishness of God is no longer to foolishness to us. Thanks be to God that His grace has allowed us the opportunity to come to ourselves and the realization that we need Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Thanks be to God that because of who we are in Christ (whether we been saved for decades or 1 minute) eyes have not seen, ears have not heard nor has it entered into the hearts of men what we will be. Thank you Lord.
 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. I understand, its hard to see a God who tells us in Romans 10:9 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. That is all I have to do to be saved? That is what gets me into heaven? What about my sins? What about all that I have done? Don’t I have to work my way in? Don’t I have to do something more than that? I got to work off my debt to get into heaven. I got to say a few Hail Mary’s and “our Fathers.” I got to give to the goodwill, visit shelters, I got to give up cursing and drinking, I got to give up smoking and sex before God will even think to accept me. I need…I need…I need. Ephesians 2:8-10 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.