Remembering The Good!

Remember: to recall, retain, recollect

Good: morally excellent, cheerful

God commanded His people to have certain feasts and certain celebrations. One of the reasons for this was for them to remember all that He had done for them. At different times of the year, they would come together and celebrate how God had brought them out of the land of Egypt (slavery), how He had defeated their enemies, how He feed them in the wilderness, and how He protected them. God required them to remember. He is the same today as He was yesterday, so if he required them to remember, how much more is He requiring the same of us.

In the book of Joshua, God commanded them to leave stones as a memorial, these stones reminded them and their children of specific victories, so every time they would look at those stones, they would remember what God had done for them (Joshua 4:4-6). Like them, we should have something to remind us of what God has done for us. It doesn't have to be stones, of course. It could be something as simple as a journal that we maintain to keep all the many victories that He has done for us fresh in our memories.

God doesn't want us dwelling on the negative things in our past. That means we can't stay focused on that one time our boss or coworker did us wrong and we can't keep harping on the bad times between us and our spouses. It also means that we can't linger on the occasions when our friends whip or insult us with their tongues. Those are the types of things that we are suppose to forget. Of course, those things are going to come to the surface from time to time, but it's our responsibility to quickly change our thoughts. The reason for this is because whatever we dwell on is what we inevitably bring more of into our lives. So let's remember the good things that happen in our lives - like when God has turned situations around; the days our children were born; and the strength and peace He gave us throughout the difficult times and how He gave us beauty for ashes.

Let's remember our successes, our victories, and all the times we weathered the storms in our life because when we remember the good things we are constantly drawing more good things to us! Keep believing and keep remembering what God has done for us -  He's done it before, He's well able to do it again! God loves you, my friends!!

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

                                                                                                           

We Are On A Mission!

Mission: an assignment or task to be carried out

We are on a serious mission -- to get back to our savior. On this mission we are and will continue to be given commands. It's so incredibly important that we don't turn to the left or to the right - instead we must remain focused.

That's not to say that we don't or won't make mistakes (an error arising from human weakness). Sometimes these mistakes are a result of misunderstood motives, misjudged appearances, and misplaced trust. These things happen, so it's imperative that we stay focused. Proverbs 14:12 tells us, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Let's take the military for instance - when a soldier is sent out on a mission, he or she has been sufficiently trained, and they don't allow themselves to become distracted. Distraction from their main focus could cause them their life. They are always watching and waiting for the right moment to carry out their assignment. The Lord has also equipped (or trained) us. Ephesians 1:3 declares, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

He equips us with His word, His spirit, and the power to pray. Our mission is to get His word first for ourselves so that we may be a witness unto His people. We are commanded to go and teach and preach the word and also to help others. We must remember the Lord did not save us just so that we could live comfortably, happily, and self-centered. No, we have a mission! We have a mission given to us by the ultimate Commander-in-Chief and that's to take His message of salvation into the enemy camp. We must never forget that we are on an assignment and we cannot let ourselves get caught up in the cares of this life. When we do, we become easy prey for the enemy, which results in mission failure.

Jesus fulfilled His assignment when He came to earth to do God's will; to save sinners, to bring everlasting righteousness, and to destroy Satan's works. Now it's up to each of us to complete our assignment. Our Commander-in-Chief loves each of us to the point that He died for you and me!

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

Let's Walk In Integrity!

Integrity: uprightness of character, honesty, state of being complete or undivided.

The Lord desires that we always act the same - it doesn't matter whether we are sitting in Church or if we're standing in the grocery store - He desires integrity. Too often I've seen too many people in the Amen section at Church, but once they're out of that environment, they let their hair down (so to speak) and you began to see the real them. That's not walking upright or honest before the Lord. God is a God of integrity, so it should be a high priority for us to follow in His footsteps.

In today's world, integrity is almost a thing of the past. In these perilous time, there are Pastors lying in the pulpit; Teachers crooking the truth; and Politicians saying anything they have to just to get your vote. It's like the word integrity is almost unheard of, but it's just as important today as it ever was. Back in the day, a hand shake was as good as a done deal or an agreement - not so much these days. These days, some people's signature doesn't even count for much because they are not upright in character. Friends, when we walk with an undivided heart our words are our bond - when we say yes, it means yes, and when we say no, it means no.

Some people lose their integrity because of fear; others because of gain. For instance, the Prophet Balaam loved rewards; he tried to curse God’s people for a reward (Numbers 22:6). We could say he had a divided heart even though he was a Priest and a Prophet, he still tried to cursed God's people (definitely not an upright heart). On the other hand, Daniel had an excellent spirit of integrity. He walked upright before God, he took a stand and did not bow down to the King (I'm sure you're familiar with the story). In turn, God took a stand for him (Daniel 6:22). People of integrity have no problem seeking God and allowing Him to be their strength; they will go the extra mile with a smile knowing that God is in control.

Psalms 25:21 says, "Let integrity and uprightness preserve (keep) me, for I wait on thee." We are consistently going to be in the company of people who talk right, but walk left - just remember that walking in integrity is rock solid. Deuteronomy 32:4 informs us, "He is the rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without  iniquity, just and right is He." What an awesome example of integrity! If by chance we have allowed our integrity to slip away, just know that it's not too late to repent and ask for forgiveness. God is a God of forgiveness and of love; He will welcome us in with open arms.

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

God Wants Us To Be Faithful!

Faithful: Constant, true, loyalty

The Lord wants us to be faithful in every arena of our lives. Before we can be truly faithful to something we must first purpose it in our heart. For instance, if I say I'm going to pray each morning, then each morning I need to pray. The Lord is not concerned about how long my prayers are, He's concern about me being faithful to do what I said I would do. It’s pretty straightforward, right?

Sometimes we’re in situations where we ask the Lord for big things, but how can He trust us to be faithful and do what we say on the mountain, if we are not even faithful in the valley when the chips are seemingly down? God called us; He chose us - now He expects us to do our part and be faithful.

The Lord commends faithfulness rather than ability. We can have the ability to do great things, but if we are not faithful in doing them, then what good is it having the ability? Let's look at the example in Luke 19:12 - A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. (13) And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, occupy till I come (in other words, buy, trade, and exchange). Upon his return he called the servants he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

Verses 16-22 continues on to tell us: Then came the first, saying Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: And he saith unto him, out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Friends, we don't want to be that wicked servant, we want to be productive and faithful to do what’s expected of us.

Whatever we purpose in our heart to do - or if the Lord gives us something to do - let's be faithful to do it with a cheerful heart and obtain God's favor. 1 Corinthians 4:2 tell us, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Remember, God is faithful to us, so it’s the absolute least that we can do!

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