Don't run from God (Destiny)

Before i even write a scripture i want to apologize to every single person that has read these devotionals in the past, present, and soon to be future. Some who read this may know me in person and some who don't may not. I have been allowing the devil to overcome me, and i want to let all know that when God calls you to do something don't run from it.
God commissioned Jonah to preach the word to the great city of Nineveh... but he ran away from his calling but because of Gods concern for his people, he didn't just let him walk away.Because of this the word that was preached to Nineveh the city was saved from Gods wrath!
God has given us all dreams, visions, and purpose in this life and when we turn from it for silly reasons. We literally say "God i want nothing to do with you". Some may say "hey, its no big deal" but let me tell you this, it is a very big deal when we walk out on God.

Imagine if Jesus Christ said "you know what i don't want to die for these wicked people, they're nothing" Lets think about this, because i sure am. If he said no, none of us would even be standing here right now, but because of God's infinite love for his people!!! He laid his life on the cross for us, a wretched people, deep in sin. This is why we have to give thanks that God is not like man.
Sometimes as children of God we do not realize our potentiality in the Kingdom, and that we affect so many lives, but we just forfeit our blessings like Esau.
I also want to let you know that God spoke through my someone to me, and i started to think about what i was doing, and that i was wasting my blessings. The Bible says "blessed is the man whom God corrects, do not despise the discipline of the almighty, for he wounds but he also binds up; he injures, but his hand also heals" John 5:17-18. This is a powerful verse, and as i am typing this i want this verse to seep into my very soul, and i pray it will open all of our eyes. My brothers, my sisters lets go forth in the calling God has for us, lets lift one another up and keep each other in prayer. The devil is trying to cripple the Kingdom of God but he cant stop us!

P.S I plan on continuing these devotions until God says stop. Please pray for me as i do this. If one person can be impacted from this, then i know it has served it's purpose. It's not about me, but about lives being saved.

God bless you!

You are Rich

There are many fearing Christians, who are spiritually rich, yet think themselves poor; by their doubts, and complaints, and griefs, they make themselves poor.

We all do this sometimes, we forget we have God, and that God has every single thing we need and will ever need. We have a Father who cares us, and though it may seem that he does not hear when we need something he does. He just does not answer by our time frame, yet he's ALWAYS on time. 

I love how God operates. when we think about all those times we needed something and he always provided just before whatever it was, it makes me laugh, because God was in control all the time, and he was just testing us. Encouraging us all to trust God, He knows what we need. and he will answer.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Is 40:31)

God bless you!

Worship sets us free!

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get you behind me, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.

Luke 4:8

I may have already wrote about worshiping God, but i want to speak about it again on a different level. As people of God we're called to worship the holy king, worship causes us to see things we would not normally see, for example the calling that God has over all of our lives. I want to remind us all that WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE FOUNT THAT NEVER RUNS DRY! If we don't we simply... die. God is the best sustenance we could ever have, no food,nor man or thing can give what God can give. He gives freedom from our inner man, the fleshy nature. He also gives us a way out all our issues, even the stuff you don't tell your spouses or loved ones. Worship to God stops the enemy in his tracks, it confuses him, it derails him, and i am letting us all know today when you come up on something that you can't fix, something you can't let go of, God can do it, Some things wont go away with counselling, or any other man made way... Only God can do it! So i encourage us all as brethren in Christ to worship the Lord our God, for only he can truly set us free, The bible says we must worship God in spirit and truth, and once we do this we will see change.

God bless

Building Character

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Phil 4:12-13 (NIV)

It's easy to be content when things are good, bills are being paid, having the good job, good car etc etc... but what about when you don't have some of these things? Car isnt working, mortgage is behind in payments, and a big one here, no job? you say, Lord why?! I have asked myself this question multiple times in the past but then i realized the moral here is; God is building character within me. speaking from a human perspective we all feel like things are not working out and sometimes forget God is doing something greater. 
I woke up today and i started to think about the job i have. i know i have a job but the thing is it's not in my field of what i would love to do. (This may be the case with many who read this). I would prefer to work on cars and learn more about them, but (humanly) speaking i am working at a factory making cookies. This right here is how we think in the physical, but then i realized that this is just a stepping stone to my destiny. 
When we look at Paul we see a man who has gone through alot, was it his will... Probably not, but God was building Godly characteristics in him,and ultimately further him, and others! 
The worlds message to us all is "we must live big, driving the nice cars, big houses,and all that stuff" But the truth is we need God. For example having love, paitence or peace is so much better then having a Lambo. I want to encourage us all to not just go through our going throughs, but to be  content as well! We need not be discouraged because if God is in the vessel we can smile at the storm. You may not have the most ideal circumstances at this moment, but be joyful and rejoice in the Lord, knowing the fact we serve God is enough to shout Hallelujah when all else fails because in the end, we'll be up in the heaven rejoicing!

Be blessed

Worship!

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth John 9:31 (KJV)

Picture Taken by Nolasco Image
Productions

When i think about worship, I look at it as apart of our Christian lifestyle. Worship is having reverence  and adoration for our God. and when you think about it, how could you not have such a profound love and admiration for someone who died for you! 
There's something about worship that God finds irresistible  It's so powerful that it moves God upon his throne. Now look at Job, he went through so much, God allowing satan to take everything from him, but because of his love and devotion to God, he did not curse him once. Even when his wife would say "Why do you still retain your integrity .. Curse God and die" But again... because of his devotion to God, he did not curse him. 
I want to let everyone know that when you worship God with your whole heart... he will fix your problems. it may not be right now, but it will happen. when we worship we are actually winning the fight, and when the enemy sees us worshiping God in spirit and truth.. he trembles. It's that powerful. John 4:23 speaks; But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. I stress the point "worship in spirit and in truth" because it is absolutely needed, as it says in the bible we must do so. God is not looking for fakers, but he's looking for someone who has a heart for him and someone who realizes that they're nothing without him. Don't wait for something to go wrong to worship God, but do it whenever you can, and you will be surprised by how much deeper you will go in God, if it can work for me, it can definitely work for you. Let us all apply this word to our lives! 

God bless

Leadership

Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Joshua 1:2

We all know about the children of Israel and their journey to the promised land. Looking at Moses we realize it took a huge effort to lead the children of Israel. Being a leader is not an easy task, and finding a good leader is not always easy either. Taking a look at Joshua we see he has some real important quality's a leader should have. Some quality's that come to mind when you think of a leader is, honesty, boldness, commitment, and even the ability to inspire, but the most important out of all is submission which could also be humbleness. This quality Joshua did not lack, and plays a key role in his successful leadership. 
many people are reading this, and may be thinking this does not apply to me, but at some point in your life you have taken on the role of a leader, or play the part right now. You could be leading a team at work, a bible study group, be a parent, or even own a company. A important question we should ask ourselves from time to time is, "what kind of leader am i?"
A true leader is humble. as it says in James 6:4 God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. If you may lack the other quality's of leadership being submissive is huge, and will get you further in whatever roll of leadership you play, and not just leadership but life it self.
Also being a leader can sometimes be nerve wracking, but when we look in the first chapter of Joshua 1 we notice God specifically told Joshua to be of Good courage 4 times through out the chapter. God assured him that he had everything under control, all he had to do was be a vessel pretty much. He also said be not afraid nor dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee wherever you go. This devotional is a bit different then what i normally right, but it i believe it is very important that we ask ourselves what kind of leader we are so we can do the best for others, and even ourselves.

God bless.

Pleasure in Infirmities

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor 12:9

Some may read the title of this devotional and think i am some what crazy, maybe so but 2 cor 12:8-10 fully describes how one can feel empowered in their weakened state. An infirmity is a weakness, nothing more, nothing less, we all have our weaknesses whether it be a physical ailment or mental, we struggle with in our bodies. 
I have always loved this specific verse because it is so powerful. As much of a pain it can be to struggle with our flesh, it can make us stronger. why? Because God is purifying us, As the smelter purifies Gold in the fire to remove the impurities, in turn God does the same thing. Quality's such as faith, long-suffering, humility and so many more are gained in the process. 
Through our limitations we learn to truly depend upon God, we realize that we are weak and that without God in the vessel we are no use at all. We also realize that our limitations do not only help build our Christian character but it deepens our worship to God! Paul would later say in verse 9 that he glories in his infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon him! this verse is so powerful, and i pray that it encourages you. This truly was a God given word, just knowing that even when we are weak, we're actually strong! We need to remind ourselves daily that we are more then conquers, and when we realize this we will go so much higher in God. Be blessed by Gods word.