Remember To Forget!

“…But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14)

To Forget-To fail to mention, to banish from one’s thoughts, to disregard on purpose.

Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”(Gen 41:52)

Joseph forgot about all the troubles he encountered in the past and after ward he became fruitful. Beloved, forget the past; if we run with our minds on past successes, then we tend to become laid back and rest on our accomplishments and if we run with our minds on our past failures we tend to get depressed and stagnant. Let us keep pressing forward into the fruitful place that God has in store for us.

“Behold the former things have come to pass, and new thing I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:9

Think About Your Thoughts!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. (Isa 55:8)

God knows that our thoughts are futile and that what we think we become. Therefore God wants it to be known that He does not think like us, and His is desire to bring us into a new way thinking.

 A new way of living begins with a new way of thinking. It is time to start thinking about what we are thinking about; by practicing to renew your minds with God’s Word; which reveals the thoughts of God.

 When our thinking changes our lives will also change.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”(Phil 4:8)

Keep Your Light On!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”(Matt 5:16)

Have you ever been tempted to dim your light, or tone it down while in the midst of others?

Forget what people say and think! We were created to maximize our full potential; it is God’s desire for us to allow ourselves to shine, so we need to keep our lights on.

Let us TURN OUR LIGHTS ON. Beloved, refuse to be regular, always give our absolute best in everything we do and never hold anything back.

 An old light bulb has to be thrown away because it has ceased to fulfill purpose, likewise by not shining our lights we are for all intents and purposes ineffective and useless. Light that fulfills  purpose must shine.

People and situations may seek to put out our light, but we will not allow anyone or anything to put out our light (zeal, passion, and joy).

I am reminded of the chorus:-

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

 Won’t let Satan blow it out.

I’m gonna let it shine.

Won’t let Satan blow it out.

I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

KEEP ON SHINING BELOVED!

Savor Your Flavor!

“Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its flavor, how can you make it salty? Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with one another.”(Mark 9:50)

Salt adds flavor to food and prevents things from spoiling. If salt loses its saltiness it cannot become salty again, so it has to be thrown own because it is flavorless and has no value.

 As believers we should not blend in with everyone else, instead, we should make every effort to “season” those around us. Just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food; we should bring out the best in others.

 Beloved, let us savor our values, effectiveness, efficiency, efficacy, usefulness and faith in Jesus Christ, so that we can influence our surroundings, instead of allowing our surroundings to influence us.

SIT!!!

“The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!” (Psalm 110:1–2)

Sit-To rest with the body supported by the buttocks or thighs; be seated, to rest or lie, to remain quiet or inactive.

God did not say, “Wait until all our enemies have been destroyed, or until every problem in our lives have been solved, then we can rest.” He says, “Rest first until.”

Let us sit while God heals our body, sit while He supplies our and fulfil all our heart’s desire. When a famine entered Naomi’s life instead of sitting and resting in God, she decided to leave Bethlehem to go to what she thought was greener pastures. Naomi did not realize that in the midst of  famine God would provide bread for the people of Bethlehem.

Psalm 23:5 declares that “God prepares a table for us in the presence,” not the absence, of our enemies,so in the presence of famine bread was provided.

Sometimes, because our bodies are sick, our bank accounts show lack, and things are topsy-turvy, we tend to think that we cannot sit until all our problems are resolved; but Beloved, we walk by faith and not by sight. God has promised to prepare a table for us, so we can sit and eat in the presence of our enemies, knowing He will take care of our enemies.

Beloved, your healing and freedom is in your ability to sit or rest in the Lord, so sit  until He destroys every enemy of sickness, poverty and of your prosperity.

RUN!!!

“Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”(Heb 12:1)

Run-To move swiftly on foot so that both feet leave the ground during each stride, to move without hindrance or restraint.

God has given us a race to run. Running often implies the absence of patience, the eagerness to reach the goal but this race requires patience because it is a marathon not a sprint.

Running the race of faith is not without its stops and starts and ups and downs. Sometimes we hit rough spots, and things like resentment, doubt, fear, or disappointment slow us down. So we need to get rid of the sin and weight that will hinder or hamper us as we run.

Beloved, nothing should hinder us from running well because God has promised to renew our strength so that we can run and not get weary. Therefore let us, run away from sin and traps, and run towards the Author and Finisher of our faith.

I pray that we never run out of patience, as we patiently run the race that the Lord has given us. Amen.

WALK!!!

Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” (John 5:8)

Walk- to advance or move forward.

The man mentioned in John 5:8 was lying by the pool for 38 years and he blamed people for not helping him to move further along in life. Jesus commanded the man to take up his mat of excuses and walk. Walk means to move on and implies progress.

Beloved, nothing should cause us to remain stagnant, or hinder our walk with God, so let us get rid of things that will trip us up. Walk out of doubt, walk away from negative situation,so we can walk into the blessings of God.

WE SHOULD WALK!

We should walk in purity, as “children of light.” Eph 5:8.

We should walk in sincerity. 2 Cor 4:2.

We should walk in obedience. 3 John 3

We should walk in truth. 3 John 4

We are to walk in faith. 2 Cor 5:7

 We are to walk honestly. Rom 13:13.

 We are to walk circumspectly. Eph. 5:16

We are to walk wisely. Col 4:5- 6.

We are to walk lovingly. Eph. 5:2

In spite of opposition and obstacles, step by step and day by day, we will walk to our destinies.

STAND!!!

“Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up.” (1 Sam 1:9)

Stand- Have or maintain an upright position, supported by one’s feet, Rise to one’s feet.

After being in the same predicament year after year Hannah decided to take a STAND against dryness and barrenness in life.  As she ate from the bread of life she came into the realization that she did not have to accept the false reality of barrenness.

The word of God empowers and enables us to maintain our stance against poverty, sickness, barrenness, depression, persecution, and lies.

 Beloved let us stand up, stand out, and stand still. Having done all to Stand, let us stand still and see the Salvation of Lord.

Be Sure For Sure

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; to which you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts,”(2 Pet 1: 19)

 Sure – certain, not hesitating or wavering, firm,confident.

God wants us to be sure that we are saved.

“This is the record that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.” (1 John 5:11, 12)

God wants us to be sure that He will be forgiven if we sin.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

God wants us to be sure that He hears and answers our prayers.

Jesus said, “Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you.” (John 16:23)

God wants us to be sure that He will provide for us.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”(Phil 4:19)

God wants us to be sure that He will finish what He started in our lives.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”(Phil 1:6)

 Beloved, because of the sure Word of God we can be sure of ultimate victory through Jesus Christ.

The Sure Foundation

“Nevertheless the foundation of God stand sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let every one that name the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”(2 Tim 2:19)

Foundation- the base upon which something stands, built, or is supported.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor3:11)
“He will be a sure foundation for your times, abundance and salvation, wisdom and knowledge, the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.” (Isa 33:6)

True stability is found through Jesus Christ; as we commit to studying and applying God’s Word in our lives, we will be able to weathered the storm and to withstand trial, and become unmovable.

Let us continue to build on the Solid Foundation; Jesus Christ our Rock.

The Sure Promises Of God

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”(Isa 55:10-11)

The promises of God are sure, nothing  can thwart the plan of God for our lives.

“None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.”(Jos 21:45)

The Lord declares in His Word that, “The days are coming when I will fulfill the goods promise that I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”(Jer 33:14)

 Beloved, let us find solace in the self-fulfilling word of God,“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”(2 Cor 1:20)

Be!

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply.”(Gen 1:28)

Be means   to breathe, exist, live, subsist, abide, continue, endure, hold on, hold up, keep (on), kick, last, lead, persist, rule, run on, survive; move; flourish, prosper, thrive.

In the classic Shakespearean play Hamlet, the character posed the question, “to be or not to be?” The character was considering if he should continue to endure in spite of the trials and tribulation that life throws or should he throw in the towel and give up on life. Beloved now is the time to be persistent regardless of challenges and set backs.

God has commanded us to “Be!”, so let us be wise, be fruitful, be strong, and be faithful.  Not allowing anyone to belittle, beguile, or beset us.

Be Strong!

“Be Strong in the Lord.”  (Ephesians 6:11)

The source of our strength is God, when we are weak then the power of God can mature, and God show Himself strong in our lives.

Like David strengthened himself; let us be strengthened in the Word.

• ·         I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13)
• ·         Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. (1 Cor 16:13)
• ·         Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Ps 31:24)

God has promised to strengthen those who have made a decision to wait on Him. Beloved, let us not get weary in well-doing because the Joy of the Lord is our strength.

I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit. (Eph 3:16)

Be Transformed!

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”(Romans 12:2)

The word “transformed” comes from the Greek “metamorphoo” and means to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure. “Metamorphoo” implies a change that takes place first from within, and then moves to the outer man.

If we are going to progress in the things of the Spirit, we must allow the Lord to remold and transform our minds until it begins to think the thoughts of God.

The greatest testimony of a follower of Jesus Christ is not a house or a car, but a transformed life. We are transformed to reflect God's glory as our hearts and spirits come into agreement with God's word.

We have the mind of Christ. (Phil 2:5)

 Beloved, let us be transformed by the allowing our minds to be renewed by the Word of God.

Be Unmovable!

‘’Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.’’ (1 Cor 15: 58)

Unmovable- Remain fixed, stable, planted, unmoved.

The blessed man delights in "the law of the Lord; and in his law does he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf shall not wither.  The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away" (Psa. 1:2-4).  David said: "I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved" (Psa. 16:8).

Beloved, let us not be moved by difficulties, worries, and the cares of life. Let us remain planted by the river of the word of God, and then we will be firm and unshaken in our faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Be Patient!

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:7-8)

From time to time I forget about all the good things that God has done for me, and I tend to lose focus and become ungrateful and even treat God as if He owes me something.

Many of us have treated God the way the son in Luke 15:11-12 who wanted his inheritance “NOW” treated his father. God promises to be with us and to provide for our needs. But oftentimes, we say, "God, it is taking too long. I will do my own thing.” We may not say these words out loud, but we say it by our actions and choices that we make.

 Beloved, God’s plans requires for us to be patient. Let’s not take matters into our own hands, but let us wait on God's timing,