The Word, with Our Morning Coffee

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
– Proverbs 16:9

Goals are planned and designed to reach potential and eventually a respectable level of achievement to live a happy and prosperous life. As we allow the goals we set to be purposeful and intentional, we want to keep ourselves honest in those endeavors. God see that, and He furthers the process by guiding us in righteousness to attain those goals. God sees our hearts, if we’re trying to be all that He intended for us to be, and blesses us with the rewards of our efforts. By His Holy Spirit, He leads us unto all truth and understanding. As we allow Him to lead us, we are assured that He will bring to us the desires of our hearts as we continue to remain obedient and submissive unto Him, and Him alone. Who better to guide and lead us in this life than the One who created it from the beginning? Of course, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that’s who! Have a wonderful and blessed day my friends! Be victorious in all that you set out to do this day.

The Word, with Our Morning Coffee

““Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Well, what can I say that hasn’t already been said! Without love being the basis of all understanding, how can we do the will of the Father? His Word has said it, and declared it. Enough said.

The Word, with Our Morning Coffee

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” – Revelation 1:1-3

The book of Revelation has been the most misundertsood book of the Bible because of its content regarding future events that will and must happen. God’s plan for life was interrupted way back in the beginning, even before the fall of man, when Satan, known as Lucifer, rebelled against God and was cast to the earth. Since then, certain things and events have taken place on earth and in the spirit realm that requires removal and destruction. On the island of Patmos, John was shown through visions from God and angels of the things which must take place before His glorious return. These visions, because of their tremendous affect on and in the earth have made even Christians fear reading it and receiving it. But God says that he who reads and understands this book is blessed. Revelation was written specifically for that purpose: for understanding. Many of the things that this book of future events will happen after the church is removed from the earth. If we read and study Revelation we’ll discover this and other amazing facts about what God is and will do to prepare His people for His return. So let’s not flee from His righteous Word of preparation for His return. It’s written for our benefit, written to us and for us. Rest assured, God is preparing us for the “weddings” of all weddings. Our Heavenly Father is coming back for us in power, victory and authority. Get ready for that glorious, and dreadful day because it will be glorious for His children, and dreadful for a disobedient world. Have a blessed and righteous filled day in Jesus’ Name!

The Word, with Our Morning Coffee

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” – Matthew 6:24

The Word of God is very clear in understanding who and what we serve and not serve. Before we became children of God, we were serving the world and it’s fleshly desires. We did things that weren’t pleasing to God which glorified self. If we are truly born again believers, followers of Christ, our focus and purpose ought to be to live for and glorify the King of kings and Lord of lords. We can’t have it both ways where we’re serving the world and serving God. We have to make a choice to serve one or the other. What it boils down to is who is more influential in your life, priorities and family? Only you can make that choice. That’s what the gift of a free will from God is all about. We’re going to worship something or someone so who’s it going to be? I pray that this decision is not as hard as you will make it to be. Have a great day firends, in Jesus’ Name!

The Word, with Our Morning Coffee

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
– 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20

Taking care of ourselves physically and spiritually ought to be a priority to all children of God. God has blessed us with incredible strength and stamina to fulfill His purpose but many of us don’t even recognize it. Spiritually, we ought to diligently, and without fail, read and study God’s Word for truth and understanding as He blesses us with life. Physically, we ought to understand that our bodies don’t belong to us. They are on loan to us for the purpose of glorifying God. Taking care of our bodies, which God calls our “temple” is an example of how God shows the world that we can live a healthy, sustainable life by eating right, doing the right thing, as well as preparing the body for the tasks needed to fulfill His and our purpose. We ought to understand that our bodies don’t belong to us, therefore they belong to God, and we ought to praise Him and glorify Him in them with obedience to His instruction of eating right and taking good care of our temple. And yet, may I also mention that our bodies are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us unto all truth! Yes, life and stress can bring a slow process of deterioration to our bodies but if we’re doing all we can physically and spiritually to take care of ourselves we’ll be able to further our purpose and be the light that God has called us to be. Let’s remember that our bodies belong to God. He gave them to us for a reason, not for personal or selfish gain, but to glorify Him, to present ourselves a holy, living sacrifice unto Him in all we do in the body. Have a wonderful and glorious day my friends, in Jesus’ Name!

The Word, with Our Morning Coffee

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”– Matthew 12: 36, 37

God has blessed us with abilities and talents that we ought to use to glorify His Name. Some of us have gifts and talents that have blessed others extremely and abundantly in many areas of their lives. But what about the words that we speak and how we use them in and over others? Yes, the words that we speak or share with others are just as important, if not more important than our actual gift itself. Sometimes we spend a considerable amount of time talking and sharing with others but for the wrong reasons or motives. We want to be helpful in all instances but tend to allow personal opinion or selfish ambition in indulge the matter. When we share or speak to others, it should be to edify one another or glorify God. When idle talk or “puffing up” ourselves in any manner unfolds itself, no one is being lifted up but ourselves. This is where we should really look at ourselves and say “What am I doing here? Am I glorifying God or myself?” This helps us minimize our thoughts and realize that what we say has intent and purpose, and we ought to speak only those things that strengthens and builds up others toward their potential. Being critical, judgmental of others is harsh and cruel punishment, and we ought to mindful that the very words we use toward others will be the very words that will come back to judge us in like manner. Let’s be mindful of our words and thoughts, what we say to one another, and the motives behind it. Some of us have already condemned ourselves and don’t even realize it. Ask God to bless you with understanding so that all that we say and do will glorify God and build each other up instead of breaking them down. Remember, the same words we use in idle chatter can, and will, be used to condemn ourselves. Be blessed, and pray for for His diligence to be orchestrated in your life today.

The Word, with Our Morning Coffee

“He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” – Proverbs 16:20

Reading and understanding God’s Word for our lives is essential in living righteously before Him. His Word has instruction, guidance and purpose to lead us unto all understanding. Following His Word is comparable to reading a road map. We have a destination, heaven, and God has prepared the way for us us to get there if we follow that map (His Word). Even tough we are assured of our future home, there are many discouragement that will hinder us as we preaper for that final exit. Along the way, God shows us how we can overcome those obstacles that may hinder us form reaching our destination. But he never leaves us nor forsakes us. He’s always there. As we continue to trust Him in leading us, His Word confirms His heart in what He feels for us. He loves us. We will find the good in life because He is leading us. This brings the joy and peace that only comes from Him, everlasting and eternal. Study God’s Word, stay rooted and grounded in His purpose for your life, and all our pursuits will guide us unto all truth. Have a wonderful day friends, in Jesus’ Name!

The Word, with Our Morning Coffee

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” – Matthew 6:1-4

Being a blessing to others is at the very core of ever follower of Jesus Christ. When we were saved and received the blessed gift of salvation, our hearts were being transformed, and God gave us a heart for people. We desire to do for others but sometimes we want those around us to see our display of giving for the wrong reasons. This type of giving bring selfishness and glory to the individual instead of to the One who gave us the opportunity to give. We tend to get “puffed up” when doing things for others, drawing the attention toward ourselves instead of God. Being seen doing good toward others doesn’t do anything for us but give the appearance they we are the reason for what we do. This is a false sense of security in Christ. Christ desires us to help others but doing so in a manner where the attention is not on us or our charitable giving. Be a blessing, then move on to bless or help others as God leads us, not waiting around to be seen or receive affirmation for our contribution. Who’s really getting the glory, us or God? Let’s remember, God leads us, or should be leading us, to glorify Him in all that we do. Man’s glory or his affirmation is not needed or required when we do for others. Our reward or treasures are stored in heaven when moth and corosion can’t destroy it. They are eternal. Our Lord will take care of us, and do unto us as He has promised. Why would we want anything else that would only be temporal? Be a blessing to others, then ask God to move you on to the next opportunity without the spotlight. He is our light, so let Him shine on and through you for His glory. Have a great day my friends, in Jesus’ Name!

The Word, with Our Morning Coffee

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” – Psalm 31:24

Who is your hope in? I realize that we all have hope in being successful in life; hope in living a life of righteouness and holiness; and being a blessing to our families and others. But what about our hope in Christ, that we become more like Him in every aspect of our lives? Do we have the hope that we might become like-minded with the ways of our Savior in our thoughts, actions, words and deeds? Our hope ought to be in that our lives reflect and mirror the image of our Lord God, Jesus Christ, in character and heart. No matter where we are, what we do, what we say to others, we ought to strive in hopes that He, the King of kings and Lord of lords will reign with authority and majesty in and over our lives. Having this hope will induce the courage and strength needed to stand firm in our faith without wavering. Understand a truth, that He, God, has placed this hope in us for His glory. Put your hope in Christ, and watch the glory of our heavenly Father manifest His will in and through our lives with love, courage, wonder and splendor. Have a wonderful and peaceful day my friends, in Jesus’ Name!

The Word, with Our Morning Coffee

“But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
– 1 Peter 2:9

One of the most dangerous attributes we have against the enemy of our souls is that we realize who we are in Christ. The identity of our being, knowing that we belong the Most High God, Jesus Christ, and the same power that raised Him from the dead is in us, is terrifying to the devil. If we are living our lives as Christ desires us to, with the abundant life He gave us when He was resurrected from the dead, those around us ought to be amazed as well if our lives have changed and transformed from who we used to be. When God says that we are His chosen people that means something special coming from Him. God doesn’t speak that over everyone, and we ought to be blessed to called out from the world for His chosen purposes. We ought to desire to give God all the glory, honor and praise our being can muster because of His grace and mercy towards us for what He did on Calvary’s Cross. Let’s live like were heirs, a royal priesthood, and let the world know we are children of the King of kings and Lord of lords! We know where He has brought us from, and we ought to be excited, thankful and blessed for all He has done to bring us into His marvelous light. Glorify Him with everything that we say and do always my friends. Be blessed, and live victoriously, in Jesus’ Name!