I’m so very grateful for each of you. I’m even more grateful, and blessed, to call you my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
In our world, so many people have been panicking during this season, in our world. Instead of panicking, it is time to do something else….WORSHIP!!
Now, more than ever, is the time to WORSHIP. Come to God with gratitude and thanksgiving. Now is the time to draw closer to God.
John 4:23-24
New International Version (NIV)
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
May God continually bless you and keep you in perfect peace and holiness.
Glory to God in the highest. Today is a day we have never seen before. How do we face the day? We put our Hope and Trust in God. We set our eyes on the King of Glory.
During this unique time in our world, we give honor to so many wonderful people who have kept the world turning through their service. God has used so many people to provide hope. From my heart to yours, Thank You for your service.
As people of faith, when all is said and done, we still come to the same place of telling God, “Thank You,” for it all. May You, Lord, be glorified.
How has God used you to bring hope to others? I would love to hear your stories of hope, love, courage and maybe even change. We are all one family? May the God of Hope continue to bless you and keep you.
I love you, all, with the amazing and everlasting love of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Everlasting Lord.
1 Peter 5:10
Living Bible (TLB)
10 After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever.
Psalm 33:20-22
New Living Translation (NLT)
20 We put our hope in the Lord.He is our help and our shield.21 In him our hearts rejoice,for we trust in his holy name.22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,for our hope is in you alone.
Go in peace, hope and love, while praising and serving the Lord.
Sending love to you all. I hope during this time you are taking time to draw closer to God. God’s desire is always to fellowship with us. We were created to dance with God, through daily fellowship and worship.
I know that many of us have free time that we are trying to fill. Instead of spending an hour in front of the TV, replace just one hour a day in fellowship with God. Whether its reading the bible, singing spiritual songs of worship and praise, or just sitting silently in meditative prayer. End your time with God by praying the prayer below:
Our prayer for this season:
“Father, God, draw me close to you. Move my agenda out of the way. My desire is what you desire for me. I lay my life before you. Do with it what you wish. I know that you created me for a purpose. Open my eyes to see what you see, when you look at me. I trust you, Lord. I am not afraid to trust you. I lift this prayer to you, in the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Amen”
James 4:4-10
The Message (MSG)
4-6 You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”
7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
I love you with the amazing and everlasting love of Jesus Christ.
Sending love, hope and peace to you all in the mighty name of Jesus. Last week was a weird week for me. After I wrote the one devotional message last week, the Holy Spirit prompted me to be still and not to write again until this week.
Needless to say, it is a strange time we are living in these days. There are many layers of things going on at the same time. One thing remains the same, for me and for many of you, I’m sure. Our feet are planted firmly on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
Yes, bad things are happening, people are dying, the economy is looks like a rollercoaster ride at Six Flags, and the weather is unpredictable. One thing remains, Jesus Christ.
It is so important for us not to lose our footing and keep our feet planted. Dont move away from the foundation that is Christ.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Living Bible (TLB)
10 Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.
13 So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.
14 But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval. 15 Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. 16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. 17 And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God.
18 Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.
Even though, right now, we may not be able to hug, kiss, or shake hands with our family, friends and neighbors, we can still be encouraging and uplifting. Wave, or make a heart sign with your hands, or shout, “I love you.” We can all stay connected, so continue to share love, hope, and peace in the Spirit and name of God.
I began writing this blog yesterday morning, but I just couldn’t send it. My heart was breaking as the Holy Spirit led me to the three passages below. This is all our fault. The Church, God’s pure Bride.
Unfortunately, today, when I woke up, the same message was still in my heart, which means the Spirit of the Living God has not released me from the heavy word, but today, I feel hope.
Family, the enemy has received permission, by way of the protective hand of God being temporarily removed from over us, for a period of time.There are two things happening in this season.
First, the Season of Grace has temporarily been lifted. We, as a people, are experiencing the partial darkness of a world separated from the covering of God. This is only a glimpse of what will happen, if we, The Church, dont turn back to God. The church has gotten out of order. We have cheated on our First Love.
Second, a modern day Passover is taking place. God is separating the wheat from the chaff and the Angel of Death is making its way across the world. Instead of putting the blood of animals on our homes, like instructed by Moses in Exodus, today, we have the benefit of a New Covenant through the redeeming blood of Jesus. Once we ask Jesus into our heart, we have been covered with his Blood. The dwelling place for God now becomes our heart.
The problem is that we have removed God from the holiest dwelling place, the Temple of our hearts. What or who is sitting in the holiest place in our heart? Who has taken residence in God’s most holy place? Forgive us, Lord. Restore our hearts to right order. Remove everything that is taking up residence in your house, our heart.
Jeremiah 8:18-22
The Message (MSG)
Advancing from One Evil to the Next
18-22 I drown in grief. I’m heartsick. Oh, listen! Please listen! It’s the cry of my dear people reverberating through the country. Is God no longer in Zion? Has the King gone away? Can you tell me why they flaunt their plaything-gods, their silly, imported no-gods before me? The crops are in, the summer is over, but for us nothing’s changed. We’re still waiting to be rescued. For my dear broken people, I’m heartbroken. I weep, seized by grief. Are there no healing ointments in Gilead? Isn’t there a doctor in the house? So why can’t something be done to heal and save my dear, dear people?
Revelation 2:4-5
Living Bible (TLB)
4 “Yet there is one thing wrong; you don’t love me as at first!5 Think about those times of your first love (how different now!) and turn back to me again and work as you did before; or else I will come and remove your candlestick from its place among the churches.
2 Chronicles 7:12-15
Living Bible (TLB)
12 One night the Lord appeared to Solomon and told him, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place where I want you to sacrifice to me. 13 If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust swarms to eat up all of your crops, or if I send an epidemic among you, 14 then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. 15 I will listen, wide awake, to every prayer made in this place.
Most of our lives, we have been raised and groomed to be as successful as we can. Success, education, preparation, and planning are all building blocks for a great future. Planning and preparing for a great life is wonderful and applauded, but is it enough?
As long as our identity, as Christians, is not in what we have built with our hands, our foundations will not be shaken. Our faith in God, and knowing that no matter what comes, Jesus is the Fountain of Living Water, we will never thirst.
Have you drank from the Fountain today? Have you experienced the Holy Waters pouring over your soul? When all has been stripped away, what well will you drink from?
John 4:1-14
The Message (MSG)
The Woman at the Well
4 1-3 Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed (although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people. So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee.
4-6 To get there, he had to pass through Samaria. He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon.
7-8 A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?” (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)
9 The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.”
11-12 The woman said, “Sir, you don’t even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this ‘living water’? Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?”
13-14 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”
Sending love to all. I pray that you all are still healthy and well. This morning, as I was waking up, the Holy Spirit placed the devotional message, in my heart.
I heard a certain gospel song in my head and then the Spirit of the Lord showed me the image of a wheel spinning inside of another wheel. It was an image that I had read about in book of Ezekiel, but a little different.
This morning, I only saw the wheels spinning. Then I heard the song, “The Center of My Joy,” by Richard Smallwood. I stared at the wheels for a long time and the verses of the song just vibrated through me.
Center of My Joy
By: Richard Smallwood
Jesus, you’re the center of my joy All that’s good and perfect comes from you You’re the heart of my contentment, hope for all I do Jesus, you’re the center of my joy
When I’ve lost my direction, you’re the compass for my way You’re the fire and light when nights are long and cold In sadness, you are the laughter, that shatters all my fears When I’m all alone, your hand is there to hold, ohh
Jesus, you’re the center of my joy All that’s good and perfect comes from you You’re the heart of my contentment, hope for all I do Jesus, you’re the center of my joy
You are why I find pleasure in the simple things in life You’re the music in the meadows and the streams The voices of the children, my family, and my home You’re the source and finish of my highest dreams, woah
Jesus, you’re the center of my joy All that’s good and perfect comes from you (all that’s good and perfect) You’re the heart of my contentment, hope for all I do
Ezekiel 1:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.
Father, God, bring us back to center. Reposition our lives in a way that brings our worship of you into the center of our lives. Forgive us for making everything else more important than You. We humbly bow, in submission and humbleness, to your authority and your will. You have our undivided attention. May we open our hearts and minds to You.
Sending everyone hugs, high-fives, and fist bumps. I truly hope that you all are healthy and well. The world as we know is changing every day. I’m not sure if life will ever go back to how it used to be. We have learned important lessons on cleanliness and being cognizant of human contact. The remnant of those lessons will probably be with us forever.
One thing I am so excited about and looking forward to is being in corporate worship together in one place.
May, We, The People, have a new normal of global worship of our Lord. May, We, The People, with one voice will lift up the name of the Lord. Msy, We, The People, will sing the praises of the Lord.
Psalm 27
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 27
Of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me to devour[a] me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Father, be gloried in our praise to you. Hear our hearts as we lift them in praise and glory to you. Selah
I hope you and your family and friends are fairing well, during this unprecedented time in our world and country and community. One thing that always gives me hope is the resilience of the human spirit.
It warms my heart to see how communities and neighborhoods are working together. Be sure, every chance you get, to tell those who help, “Thank You.” So many industries are still moving, albeit at a much smaller pace.
I personally would like to recognize everyone in helping services, healthcare service, food and grocery service, and the transportation industries. I’ve never been more grateful to see trucks on the road and trains moving down the tracks.
A special thank you to all of the parents who have had to turn their homes into full time schools, hospitals, gourmet kitchens and entertainment centers. May God continue to give you strength.
I encourage us all to continue to place our hope and trust in God. God still gives us all the strength, grace, knowledge, wisdom, ingenuity and creative thought to go through each day. May we never take credit for what God is doing. We are all vessels to be used for the good of man and ultimately the glory of God.
Psalm 71:1-5
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 71
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. 2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. 3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.
Go in peace and hope, while praising and serving the Lord.
I pray all is well with you and yours. May God continue to lead you and guide you in everything you do and in the same manner may we all be sensitive to God’s leading.
Remember, Family, just take one day and one moment at a time. Be thankful for each day. Glorify God every day when you wake up and when you lay down in the evening.
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
May the Lord continue to bless us and keep us, in His perfect Peace. Go in the same divine Peace, while praising and serving the