We Are Connected One To Another!

Connected: join together, unite, associate in the mind

There are those who have actually grown up with the misguided notion that they can have their own Church right where they are and as such, they believe that Church attendance is unnecessary. How tragic it must be to be satisfied with a religion that's based on isolation. Time and time again, the scriptures confirm our need for one another. Not to mention, Hebrews 10:25 tells us, "Let us not neglect our Church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near" (The Living Bible).

We shouldn't be isolated because the Bible tells us that we need one another; after all we are all the body of Christ. We are members connected to one another, and because we are connected, there are things that we should be doing for and to one another.

• First, we must Love one another. Love is the  glue that's going to hold us all together.

• Next, we must Accept one another. Roman 15:7 tell us, "Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God." Simply put, we need each other to survive.

• The word goes on to say that we must Admonish (to warn or correct) one another. Of course, we should probably examine our own life first and not try to make everyone tow the line according to our expectations. Instead, let's encourage one another to be like Jesus. Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

• The scriptures also tell us to Edify (to improve morally) one another. "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" (Romans 14:9). No one wants to go to Church and get beat down verbally - the world does a good enough job of that. So instead, "let no corrupt communication proceed out of your  mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

As Christians we are connected together, and we need that time of fellowship together - we really need one another to survive. So, if you don't have a church home yet, make it your mission to find one!

With all that said, let the Church say Amen... and AMEN!

My Prayer for You

I Pray That You Have:

Joy: A strong feeling of great delight, unspeakable and full of Glory

John 15:11 - These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full

Peace: A state of harmony that surpasses all understanding

2 Thessalonians 3:16 - Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

Success: Achievement, in each facet of your life

Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Friend: Supporter, that sent from God

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Love: Thats everlasting

John 15:12 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Knowledge: That ye may not perish

Psalms 119:66 - Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

Special Memories: Of all the Lord has done

Proverbs 10:7 - The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

A Rejoiceful Day: That the Lord has made

1 Chronicles 16:10 - Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

A Path: That leads to the blessing of God

Psalms 119:35 - Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

Dreams: That become realities for you

Genesis 28:12 - And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

And Appreciation: For all that God has made you and for all He has done for you!

Psalms 97:12 - Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Send this to everyone you're praying for and anyone whose day you desire to brighten.

With all that said, let the church say Amen... and AMEN!

Seven Steps for Walking in Success!

Success: Achievement of something intended or desired

As we prepare to enter into a new year, I would like to share with you seven steps for walking in success. The success I’m speaking of is spiritual success. While natural success is quite wonderful, but it’s only temporary. What the Lord wants us to do is reverse the order of how we typically do things - seek spiritual success first and then allow the natural success to automatically follow. For instance, when you take a new job you might first have to take an entry level position. However as you are faithful and work hard in that position, you will get promoted and the raises will start coming, - after you have done what is required. On the spiritual side, when you start walking in the circle of success, achievement will come and the Lord will elevate you with things that no man can take away.

Let's talk about those seven steps:

1.  Keep a personal relationship: The Lord must be first in our lives; We must spend time with Him. After all, how can we get to know someone if we don’t spend time with them? We should also always confess Him as our Lord. After all, Jesus loved us enough to give His life for us. Roman 5:8: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

2.  We must have a prayer life: as we have discussed a number of times in the past, we must "pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17). That’s our method of communication with God, therefore we should be in constant contact with Him. 

3.  Study God's Word: we must study the word of God to get a solid foundation; as 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 

4.  Be Faithful: God loves faithfulness, so if we say it, we need to do it (see this previous blog for more information on 'walking the walk!'). We must be faithful to keep our focus on what He wants, faithful to keep His word, and faithful in small things as well as big things. 

5.  When we fall down, we get up: We must stay strong, even when we get knocked down. As Proverb 24:16 tells us, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; but the wicked shall fall into mischief." Micah 7:8 says, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." 

6.  Deal with the things in our old heart: as you see that old worldly nature start to manifest itself in your life, don’t bury it - deal with it! Confess it, repent of it and ask the Lord to wash you in His blood. 

7.  Practice your spiritual growth: As we grow in our knowledge and principles of the word, we must practice them. With growth comes change! My friends, it's time now to "be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22).

These seven steps will help us to walk in the circle of spiritual success!

With all that said, let the Church say Amen... and AMEN!

Bloom Right Where You Are Planted!

Bloom: To flourish

Planted: To put or set in the ground for growth

Most seeds bloom exactly where they are planted. That's because the sustenance it needs to survive is provided above the ground right where it was planted. Beneath the ground, the plant is also provided with nutrients which allows it to take root. Once that plant takes root, it tends to flourish, right there where the seed was planted. We can be just like that seed -- meaning that we can bloom exactly where we have been planted -- but we must have something to work with. As the plant gets nutrients beneath the ground to help it take root, grow and bloom; we must use what's beneath our surface (or what's inside of us) to help us bloom. In our case, our root system is our foundation and it's our foundation that anchors us. We must have a vision inside of us that's set on victory, so when situations pile up on us, we can easily push through them and blossom right where we have been planted.

Of course, we know that everyday isn't going to be a good day. Without a doubt, there will be all kinds of unpleasant things going on all around us - we may get bad news about a loved one or we may lose our job. Though we may feel like we’ve never had such difficult struggles, if we can just keep on believing, keep on hoping, and keep on pulling from the sustenance we get from above, our God will see that we are going to bloom right where we have been planted and He will turn the situation around!

Paul and Silas are a great example of this. Paul and Silas were planted in jail, beaten with many stripes with their feet in stocks, but still managed to blossom right where they were. In spite of their situation, Paul and Silas didn't complain. Instead, Acts 16:23-25 tells us that at midnight they prayed and sang praises unto God. Now, that’s what I call blooming EXACTLY where you have been planted! There is a light in every situation, we just have to choose to see it and act on it!

Remember, when struggles come our way - we are not buried in that spot - we are simply planted, so we can bloom!

With all that said, let the Church say Amen... and AMEN!