Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you enjoyed this beautiful Friday-eve. I’m doing well, looking forward to the weekend, which will be action packed. It’s going to be fun to be taken back to my childhood. I think every adult loves to relive or capture pieces of his or her youth. Some men do it by playing video games, collecting baseball cards or collectable cars, etc, and some women like to get together with their girlfriends to shop, dress up, do hair and makeup, and gossip. It’s important to keep that joyful heart about you, and there’s nothing wrong with capturing apart of your youth, every now and then. If you haven’t had a carefree day, then treat yourself to a day of pampering, go to an arcade, or go dancing. Remember to live life to the fullest, laugh often, dance as if no one’s watching, and cast your cares upon the Lord in daily prayer. Today we celebrate Veteran’s day here in America, and I want to thank all of the men and women in service, past, present, and future; God bless you! You are appreciated, because without you, American freedom wouldn’t be possible. Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!

Today’s scriptures are about being led by the Lord. As humans, we’re always being led by something, whether it’s a career or educational goal, a love interest, religion, fear, culture, or anything else that could control our thinking. In the bible we’re likened to sheep, because we have a “heard” mentality. We’re prone to follow a leader, yet we need that leadership in order to stay on a path. Before God created us, He knew exactly what we’d be put here to do, but He still gave us the freedom to choose Him. He gave us salvation through Jesus Christ, as well the Holy Spirit to help us follow His way. Jesus was created to be the Leader of all God’s children, and so He lived His life according to the ways and will of God. He led a perfectly righteous life, because He had to lead by example.

Jesus said: “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:44-46 NIV) When we follow the leadership if Jesus, we’re not only following Him, but we’re following the will of God. Jesus is a part of God, and still lives, sitting at His right hand, today. The things that He taught over two thousand years ago are still relevant today. Technology, culture, and even religion have changed tremendously, but the Word of God will be the same now and forever more.

Jesus went on to say: “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12: 47-50) The best way to stay focused on Jesus, and follow His lead, is to understand that He was in fact God in the flesh. Everything He did and said was given to Him by the ultimate Leader, and the Creator of all things. Rest assured in knowing that there’s no condemnation in Jesus Christ, so to follow Him is to have life, and to deny His is to experience death.

God sent Jesus to free us from the bondage of sin [and darkness], and bring us into His light. Through Him we learn how to live in the Spirit, while still in the flesh. We also learned how to strive for righteousness without the pressures of perfection. Jesus taught us how to be human, accept our mistakes, and do our best to change them. He never wanted to condemn us, but to uplift and strengthen us to the point where we can follow God’s will with a clean heart and right Spirit. Jesus lived, but lived in a way where He could never have been called anything less than the Son of God. He showed His love openly without judgment, and also shared it with anyone in need. What better way is there to live than that?

We are in need of some strong leaders in today’s society, which reminds me of the story about the compassion of Jesus. Jesus had traveled all over His town healing people. It started with only a few, and He told these few not to tell anyone, but of course they didn’t listen. When the word got out, people came from everywhere, just to catch a glimpse of Him, in hopes that they would be healed. It’s written: But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matt 9:36-38) We must continue to pray for Laborers for God’s harvest, because there are so many people in this world suffering, but they don’t know what to do, or how to do it. Sometimes all it takes is for them to see Christ through us, just as Christ made sure that everyone He came in contact with saw the Father in Him.

I love you because God first loved me. I wouldn’t have been able to write that, and truly mean it, if it wasn’t for the leadership of Jesus Christ. He takes good care of me, so that I can show you great care, even if it’s just through an inspiration e-mail, a hug, or lending an ear when you need one. I can tell you from personal experience that I was stuck in the wilderness for a long time, looking for answers to my strife, but I wasn’t looking in the right places. It wasn’t until I sought out the love of God, through Jesus Christ, that I was really able to understand that there is a better way. When I started to read about the life of Christ, I understood that God does have love for the fallen, weary, stragglers, and sinners. Jesus taught me that no matter what I’ve done, or may do in the future, God will forgive me and show me a better way, and all I have to do is follow His lead—that’s where true freedom lies. If you want to experience that freedom, but don’t know Jesus, then take a few moments to take the God Quiz today. My favorite verse today is: Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (Psalm 5:8)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

How was your first day of Lent? I know some people failed, and some persevered, but it's just day two, so dust yourself off and continue on the journey to grow closer to the Lord. Here's something that was placed on my heart that I wanted to share with you: “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."(Matt 6:16-18) The Spirit reminded me that whatever commitment I make to God is between me and Him, that's what makes it so special. The Black History Month quote of the day is: "The past is a ghost, the future a dream. All we ever have is now." (~Bill Cosby) Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about hope in the Lord in times of trouble. It wasn't until I grew in my Faith walk did I start to notice certain things around me. When we're growing up in the world and learning new things, we get accustomed to its ways. Depending upon the way we're raised, we either learn to become immune to the evil ways of the world, or we rise above it. However, because we’re created with an inquisitive nature, we're going to test the waters, and experience several difficulties. Overall, the world is filled with a lot of evil and wicked things, and has been that way from the beginning of time. Take the story of the brothers Cain and Abel; one killed the other because of jealousy (Gen. 4). Then we also know of the Israelites who were freed from slavery, and lead to the Promised Land, by Moses. This nation of people fell into so much evil that they wondered in the wilderness for forty years, until they changed their ways. They were doing all types of ungodly acts, but God finally decided had mercy on them, and let them into the land promise to their people. Close to the end of the Israelites forty year journey, Moses wrote a song for this new generation, before his death. It was partly about the importance of praising God for the things of the past, to allow them to learn from the ways of their parents. He went on to remind them of the evil done, and the reasons they had to suffer so much. Although these people lost their way, and openly and intently disobeyed God, He still stayed with them, and continued to appoint great leaders like Moses and Joshua to get them back on the right path. After Moses recited this song to the people he left them with this: "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." (Deut 32:46-47 NIV) Everything happens for a reason, so we that are living in the year 2010 can take from this message great and wonderful things. We also learn from many who've come after Moses and the Israelites, but the most important thing we learn is that we're all vulnerable to evil, violence, sin, and failures, no man is above it. As long as we're in the flesh, wickedness will affect us in some type of way, yet we're still expect to maintain an upright life. We're expected to try our best to do right by God, and show others His ways. At the same time, we're not expected to do it alone, because God is always with us through our many periods of “wilderness”, and “Promised Lands”. He gives us free will, but sometimes we're so enthralled with our “worldly” life that we miss His calling. Now you may be asking yourself, "if evil is inevitable then way even bother with trying to be good"? Well the answer to that question lies in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He came in the flesh and was tempted in every way that we are, yet remained untouched evil. Through Him we have hope, because He offers us strength, righteousness, love, and most importantly Salvation. When we're covered with His the blood, we’re lead by the Spirit, and the love of God keeps us moving forward, and not constantly going in circles. That is a reason to rejoice! Through Jesus we're being renewed from the inside out, and when we nurture that relationship, and work towards growth in Him, we'll learn how to separate ourselves from evil. Remember it’s written, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The only way to do that is through the Jesus Christ, and right now He’s calling you, accept Him today. My favorite verses today are: For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. (Isaiah 54:7-8)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Here’s our black history quote of the day is: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." (-Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Today's scriptures are about strength with and for the Lord. In life there must be some sort of balance, that's why we're taught that we reap what we sow; there's a natural order of things. Being children of God we're expected to do our share of the work in His Kingdom. When we follow His will, and work for Him, we become stronger, wiser, and filled with love. It's written: Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “ I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea." (Isa. 48:17-18) The children of Israel had long been disobedient to God, and they missed out on so many blessings and labored in vain. We have a gift that they didn’t have, so when we enter into God’s Kingdom we become “Joint Heirs” with Christ, which means we have an awesome responsibility. We're made to be strong and regal, able to withstand the wiles or the devil, and be leaders of this nation filled with wicked and perverse ways. We're to diligently work to better our lives, and the lives of all those around us. As we know, Jesus didn't have what we may call an "easy life". He walked through Nations on a mission to touch as many lives with the Gospel as He possible could. He was at the beck and call of His Heavenly Father, following His every command. There are stories about how hard He worked, as well as the times He celebrated with His friends, and the times He took for Himself to pray, meditate, and fast. He was a true Servant who never gave up, even though He knew His fate. He still had a balance in life, and that's how He kept that "peace that flowed like a river". There are countless others we can read about in the Bible like Peter, Paul, James, Timothy, Job, David, Solomon, Samuel, Mary, etc., and I could go on and on. We're given these stories to help strengthen our Faith. Through them we're taught that when we surrender to God, awesome things happen, as well as the fact that life isn't always easy, yet God gives us the strength to endure all things. Strength comes from within, and when our Spirit and mind is strong, we can overcome any obstacle, achieve any goal, and raise above all earthly standards. We must seek God in everything we do, because when we try to live life on our own, and follow our own agenda it will never work. The Prophet Isaiah once said: "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the LORD, and my work with my God.’” (Isa 49:4) Have you ever felt this way? I have to admit I have, and it's not a good feeling. I can remember times when I've knowingly, and unknowingly, gone against God, and done things that weren’t in His will for me. It was like trying to dig a ditch with a spoon. I worked so hard, yet accomplished so little, and at the end of the day I was unhappy, unfulfilled, and drained. Then there are the times I’ve followed God’s will, and did the unthinkable. I soared above the earth’s standards with such regal strength, that you could see Jesus through me. If you're at a place in life where you feel weak, unfulfilled, and unhappy, then seek God for the strength to endure. Ask Him to show you the will He has for your life, and be willing to work. When working for God we'll face times of weariness, extreme exhaustion, and urges to give up, but those are usually times where we’ve lost our focus. If that's how you feel right now, re-center yourself, and go to God for rejuvenation. Remember, we all have to take time off to rest, or to just pray and meditate, just like Jesus. If you don't have Jesus in your heart then you won't truly know strength, because all things from God, including strength, come through Him. Go to God today and ask Jesus to come into your life as Lord and Savior. My offer to pray with you always stands, so no matter day or night contact me. It's my life's work to share the love, joy, and peace Jesus has brought into my life, in hopes that it'll do the same for you. My favorite verse today is: Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone and you're enjoying this cool Friday-eve. I'm doing well, feeling a little better today, but not 100%. I'm grateful to be able to be here at work, and I know it could be worst. I just pray that I don't get anyone else sick, and am able to get back in the gym soon. I can't believe Thursday is coming to a close already this week has flown by. You know what this means? My birthday is quickly approaching! Just a few gift hints; I'm in terrible need of an IPod, and/or a Spa package at a local Day Spa. Restaurant gift certificates are always welcomed as well. My birthday isn't until next Sunday the 20th, so you still have time to order or go out and get something (just and FYI) . On a serious note, I'm very grateful to see another year, and am looking forward to the wisdom that comes along with age, God has been very good to me, and I'm looking forward to many more years of service. My cousin Calvin Jr. would've been celebrating his 18th birthday tomorrow, on September 11th, so please keep his family in your prayers, I’m sure he’s celebrating in Heaven. Happy Birthday Lil Calvin aka Doodyman, I love you!

Today's scriptures are about God's guidance of His chosen ones. Did you know that you were called to greatness? Well you are, and God has called you to be the best at whatever you've been placed here to do. This puts me in mind of Moses, and the great task he had to free all of the captive slaves of Israel. Moses wasn't a powerful man, he was a regular person like you and I, but God taught him His ways as he went along. For example, in Exodus chapter 14, God wanted Moses to take the Slaves across the Red sea, and Moses didn't have a raft, boat, kayak, or anything. All he had was God's word, and his rod (walking stick). Pharaoh came after the escaped slaves, and when they saw him coming, the people started to panic, and in Exodus 14:13-14: Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” This is something that we can learn a lot from. Go speaks to us all the time, and teaches us His ways. He gives us extraordinary things to do yet we get sidetracked because all we see are the consequences or sometimes danger that come with these things. We rarely look at the fact that the Lord is fighting for us, and we should be still and hold our peace. That's such valuable wisdom to hold on to. There are so many other valuable stories in the bible, of great and fearless leaders, that God had given great wisdom. He needs us to be meek and humble enough to seek and wait on His guidance, yet faithful enough to follow through with His commands. All week we've discussed listening to God, and seeking His wisdom first. He has the answer to every question we have, and will provide us with every tool we’ll need to do our job successfully. Moses asked God why they had to cross over the Red sea and He told him in 14:4, "so that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.” All Moses had to do in this case was follow God's instructions, so when God said, "Raise your Rod", Moses raised it, and the Lord did exactly what He said He would do. I was lead to read Roman 4 last night, and Paul wrote about another great man of the Old Testament, Abraham. God lead Abraham to do some pretty remarkable things as well, and Paul mentions it in detail throughout chapter 4. He wrote in verses 20-22: He (Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” I urge you to seek ye first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness, and allow Him to lead you on the paths to complete His will for your life. When you're called to do something, stop relying on your own abilities and understanding, and allow God to lead you each step of the way. If you're not doing what you know He's called you to do, then you're being disobedient, and you won't find peace until you heed His call. I promise you that you don't have to go at it alone, because you have the Trinity to help you through. God will never leave you nor forsake you, and if you don't believe me, try Him for yourself. Fear will keep us in bondage as long as well allow it to, so break free, and step out on God's promises for your life. Do you know Jesus for yourself? If your answer is no, then that's the first step to Spiritual growth. Jesus is the key that unlocks your bondage. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior, and humble yourself. Pray and tell God that you're a sinner, and how much you need Him, then allow Him to lead, and you follow. I promise you won't regret it. My favorite verses today are: Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalms 25:8-10)

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