Encouraged by God's Word

Archive for 2010

Hello Family,

Currently my pastor is preaching a series titled “Principals for Promotion and Progress” from Psalm 75:6-7. Throughout these past weeks, we have been exposed to an abundance of profound principles on the subject matter. One of the points Pastor Jenkins discussed was tardiness. He was discussing how we need to be excellent on our jobs and how we should work hard to impress God and not man because God is the one who will exalt us.

He talked a lot about tardiness and other work habits but it got me thinking what it would be like if God was ever tardy in our lives. Now we all know God does things in His own time and infinite wisdom, but He does it that way for our own benefit. We may not understand it but in the end it works out for our good. It might be a delay to us but in the end, the miracle, the blessing, or the provisions are right on time.

But what if God was actually tardy? What if He was truly late in delivering us from danger? What if God didn’t show up when trouble was about to overtake us? What if God was slow in doing His job? What if He didn’t rescue us from our own foolishness?

2 Peter 3:9a (Amplified Bible) says The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness…. 

People are constantly tardy for work and other appointments but we don’t consider the hardship we put on others based on our selfishness or laziness. We expect everything to be cool if we’re tardy and we don’t want to hear anything from anyone about it.

God is not like that. When He says He’s going to do it, He does it. There is no delay. When God makes us a promise we can rest assure that He will make good on it.

We don’t have to worry if He’s going to show up. All we have to do is be ready for Him. And sometimes it may seem like there’s a delay or things are slow, but God will not be tardy. You can count on it. His timing is perfect!

It’s important that we take on this position and not be slow about what we promise to do. If we want people to trust and believe in us, we must take on the example God has demonstrated for us and not delay in our doings. This is the best way to get people to believe and trust in us.

Be Encouraged and Have a Great Weekend!

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Hello Family,

This week I had the privilege of speaking with a mentor of mine and we were discussing some comments he made to a group of people on the subject of courage. When he was speaking he was so passionate and emotional which is contrary to his normal temperament. Typically he’s low key, mild and just a cool dude but when he got in front of that crowd and started speaking on the subject of courage, something in him got stirred up and he was on fire.

Later he explained to me that he was so passionate because of a book he just read and how it talked about having courage when facing your fears. He talked about how we all will face rejection and ridicule but the question is how will we deal with it. Will we run and hide or will we persevere?

This hit home with me because there were some things I had been avoiding because I didn’t want to face the music. I knew that the situation would be a little discomforting so I decided to just let it be. Well that didn’t work. It only made things worse.

I let fear of the unknown get me off track and then I let the spirit of procrastination prolong the situation by not acting on it.

I had to develop some courage and get through my situations regardless of how bad I “thought” it was going to be. And if it was really that bad, then that was my fault because I got myself into that predicament.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (New American Standard Bible) says Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.

He will not fail you or forsake you.

I lost my courage and let fear get the best of me because I didn’t depend on the Lord. I pictured myself taking on the situation alone not remembering that God will never fail me or forsake me. From now on I’m going to be a courageous person and not let fear creep back into my life and cause me to procrastinate and not do what I’m supposed to be doing.

Right above my desk is a picture with a motivational quote on it. This picture was on the wall when I moved into that office 2 years ago and I’ve looked at it a couple of times and read the quote before but it never really resonated with me until now. Do you want to know what’s on the picture? Of course you do.

It is a scenic picture of a penguin standing on the tip of an ice cap on the edge of a mountain and there are the words:

Courage

Courage is daring to take that first step, or a different path. It is the decision to place your dreams above your fears.

This picture has been in my face every day for months and not until now has it had any real meaning to me. We know that God has not given us a spirit of fear so all us should be courageous.

When looking for courage, there’s no need to visit the Wizard of Oz like the Cowardly Lion did. All you have to do is call upon the name of the Lord because He is already there with you.

Be Encouraged and Have a Courageous Weekend!

If that blessed you? pass it on to others. Please share with all of your Facebook and Twitter friends and leave me a comment. THANKS!

Hello Family,

I was reading an article online titled “Practice Being Like a Child” by Jim Rohn and it had some very interesting points.

The article was talking about success and some of the attributes adults need to have when it comes to being successful. The article said that adults need to be more like children and there were four ways to do that. One of the ways was to have “Faith Like a Child”.

It stated that Faith is childish and I would have to agree with that statement based on the context. The article later went on to say how adults have a tendency to be overly skeptical about things. We tend to over analyze certain situations instead of just going with the flow. This is so true especially when it comes to ways of God. If we don’t understand it, we don’t believe it. And if we don’t believe it, we won’t act on it.

The article also mentioned that adults have a tendency to be cynical which again I have to agree with. We are suspicious and not so trustworthy and it’s usually because of past experiences. Where as kids are carefree and they just go with the flow and do what is fun for the moment.

Why won’t adults be more like children? Why can’t we have “Faith Like a Child”?

Is there something that is holding you back when it comes to God? What is the one area in your life you need to have more faith and trust in Him?

Hebrews 11:6 says But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The faith of a child is strong. You tell a child he’s going to the movies and then to get some ice cream, they start singing a song of joy. They have faith in your statement without any questions. But if you say the same thing to an adult, they might ask questions like how much or what movie are they going to see or do they have to get ice cream, can it be something else to eat.

It is easy for a child to please God because they instantly have faith. You tell children how good God is and they run with it. But if you say the same thing to an adult you’re bound to get a different response. They want proof of God’s goodness. And when you show it to them they probably won’t see the blessing, just the struggle. And if our focus is on the struggle as opposed to the blessing, we don’t have faith. And if we don’t have faith, we can’t please God. It is impossible.

I have to admit that there have been times when I have analyzed things and didn’t have faith. I just couldn’t see how the situation was going to change and because of that, I missed out on a miracle. I didn’t get God’s reward in my life because I let my intellect get in the way.

What areas of your life do you need to strengthen your faith in? Once you figure it out, act like a child and walk by faith and not

by sight. They do it all the time.

Be Encouraged and Have a “Faith Like a Child” Weekend!

Did that bless you? If so, pass it on to others. Share with all of your Facebook and Twitter friends and leave me a comment. THANKS!

Hello Family,

What are you good at? What is that one thing that you really enjoy doing? Is it singing? Is it drawing? What about photography? Do you communicate well with others? Do you have a passion to serve people? Are you a great organizer?

I love young people. My wife and I have three children and I can hang out with them all day. Sometimes we watch a little television or a movie together. We talk about school, their friends, or some of their extracurricular activities. Sometimes we just joke and laugh at each other. I just really enjoy hanging with my kids.

In my career I work with youth and have been doing it for the past 16 years. I love sharing information with youth based on my experiences or the knowledge I have. I enjoy it when a young person asks for my advice and they apply what I’ve shared with them.

At church I was a part of our mentoring program for three years and I have also had the privilege of mentoring my friend’s nephew.

I like working with youth because they are so alive and so real. You know exactly what you get when you work with them. They’re not fake and they usually don’t try to be more than what they are. What you see is what you get.

Regardless of what I do in life, I will always be involved in working with youth in some capacity because that is my calling. I know it and that is what others have told me many times before. That is what concerns me the most.

That is what I’m passionate about.

What is your calling? What are you passionate about?

Ephesians 4:1 says I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.

Are you walking in the divine influence for your life or are you just sliding along? Did you line up your educational path based on your calling? Did you pick your career based on your calling or was it something else?

Beloved, I asked you are you walking worthy of the calling with which you were called? Are you following God’s plan for your life? Are you using the gifts and talents God has given you to build His kingdom?

I’m an example of how God can bless others by doing what He has called me to do. You see on Friday, April 25, 2008 I started sending out emails to a group of folks on my email list and God has used those messages every Friday to minister to a lot of people. I would never imagine in a million years that the words I wrote would have the effect on folks that it has had and I can tell you based on feedback and comments I get from people, I know this thing is real. I know this is what I was called to do!

Put me in the pulpit and you’ll get a hot mess. Ask me to teach Sunday school and the kids will come out more confused than when they first walked in. But ask me to put it on paper and add some of my personality to it, I can do that no problem because that’s what I’m called to do.

What are you called to do? Find out what it is, get it done, and make it happen for the glory of God.

Be Encouraged and Have a Passion-Filled Weekend!

Hello Family,

I remember when I was younger I used to really like Frosted Flakes cereal.

I mean how can you not like a cereal that is totally covered in frosted sugar. It didn’t matter what the actual cereal tasted like it was all about the sugar. And now that I think about it I really don’t know what the actual cereal does taste like.

Now Tony the Tiger is the official mascot for Frosted Flakes and he had a notable catchphrase that everyone knew when he talked about how wonderful and delicious and tasty and sugary the cereal was. At the end of every commercial, when all of the marketing and advertisement techniques were presented, Tony would say with a resounding voice, “They’re Grrrrreat!!” He would let the world know how great Frosted Flakes cereal was.

Have you ever really taken the time to sit and think about how great our God is? Have you thought about all of the wonderful things He has done for you and me?

Psalms 95:1-6 says Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land.  Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

The definition of great is defined as remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness; chief or preeminent over others. Looking at this psalm it is evident that our God is great.

God is so great and everything about Him is so great, there have been many songs written to honor Him for who He is and His greatness.

The Great I Am by Ernest Pugh

 God Great God by Kurt Carr

 Great Praise (The War Cry) by Stephon Hurd

 Great God by Israel Houghton

 How Great is Our God by Hillsong United

 Great is Your Mercy by Donnie McClurkin

 Great and Mighty by Clint Brown  

Great is Your Faithfulness by Newsboy

There’s nobody greater than my God!

So whenever you think about how great our God is and all of the magnificent things He has done, act like Tony the Tiger and shout “He’s Grrrrreat!” and let the world know of His righteousness.

Be Encouraged and Have a Grrrrreat Day!

Now that you’ve been blessed, let’s pass it on to others. Share with all of your Facebook and Twitter friends and leave me a comment also. THANKS!