NO GREATER LOVE!

 Each individual on the face of this earth, has an innate desire to be loved.  We find that at times, many go searching for love in the wrong places and often become subjects or victims of abuse.  

I want to say to us, LOVE is a choice!  We choose to accept love and we choose to give love.  Love cannot be forced upon a person because it comes natural and is from the heart.  If it is done forcefully, it is NOT love.  Whenever we love someone, we do so by choice.

The greatest demonstration of unconditional love has been etched in the pages of scripture.  The word of God in John 15:13 (KJV) declares, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  Jesus Christ demonstrated His love for us, when He gave His life on Calvary.  He selflessly went to the Cross and died for our sins, not any sins of His own.  He didn't have to, but He CHOSE to because of His love for us.  Jesus loves us!

Some of you may have been in relationships that just did not worked out the way you had imagined.  You are heartbroken and emotionally crushed.  You maybe feeling alone like no one cares, you are longing for a shoulder to lean on, the feeling of sadness, gloom and despair maybe roaming in your atmosphere, your heart is discouraged and seeks comfort and a loving embrace.  Today I encourage you, LOOK TO JESUS! His arms of love are waiting to embrace you.  He is saying to you today,  "Come my child, I will help, I will give you the love and comfort that you need." 

The answer is not in the arms of flesh.  It is not in a man or a woman.  It is not in sexual perversion or suicide.  The only answer that you need is found in JESUS CHRIST!  He wants to show you what it is like to truly love from the heart.  He wants to show you that His love remains unchanged.  In fact, that's the very reason why you are still here today, because His love for you remains constant.  Let Him wipe away your tears and change your story for His glory.  Jesus reminds us in John 15:9 (The Voice Translation), " I have loved you as the Father has loved Me. Abide in My love."  I say to you today, be encouraged and ABIDE IN HIS LOVE.  

YOU ARE LOVED!

God bless you!

Assurance For Weary Minds

Each and every believer at some point in time, must have become weary.  The word weary has to do with having one's strength, one's patience or contentment exhausted.  There are many things that can actually cause an individual to be in a weary state.  Let's shed some light on them below.

DISCOURAGEMENT- We may suffer discouragement that sometimes causes us to become weary.  Waiting to see a manifestation of the promises of God in our lives it takes much faith and perseverance to see a manifestation of such.  During the waiting process,  we tend to get agitated, frustrated and weary due to how tiring the waiting process is.  Individuals may battle with thoughts such as, "Is God still gonna come through?", "Is it really gonna happen?", "Maybe the time has long elapsed!"  Hence, because at such time, we tend to see no sign or sight of the thing God has promised, discouragement sweeps over our being and if we don't mind, we end up doubting God and His promises.  

The Psalmist David in Psalm 42:5 stated, " Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."  If you are facing discouragement today, hope in God.  He is a God that is not slack concerning His promises and whatever He said He will do, be encouraged, He will do just that.

OBSTACLES- In the book of Numbers 13 we see the account of when Moses sent the twelve (12) spies to spy out the land of Canaan.  Ten (10) came back saying that they will not be able to conquer the land as there are giants in the land.  Only two (2) came back with positive word that although giants are in the land, they are still well able to conquer.

The obstacles that we face can very well be likened to giants.  How we see them will determine whether or not we will conquer and be victorious against what we face.  It is important that no matter the obstacles that we face, that may at times causes us to bend under the situations and circumstances we learn how to encourage ourselves in the Lord and triumph over them.  Psalm 73:26 reminds us, "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."  

What are the obstacles that you are facing? You may have a child or husband that may have gone wayward, you may be facing rejection by your family or church, your ministry may have been on the rocks, you may feel as though you are hitting rock bottom, you feel exhausted and weary as a result.  Be encouraged and may you find solace in the words that Paul reminded the Galatians in the book of Galatians 6:9 that says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." 

CONSTANT & REPEATING BATTLES- As a child of God, it is also imperative that we understand that we are constantly in a fixed fight.  Hence, like a soldier in battle, we have to be on the alert as our enemy (Satan), prowls around like a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour.  As a result, we can NEVER quit!  Sometimes in fighting, we may face different types of battles, some more intense than some and therefore, we must treat each battle differently.  This means that at times, due to the longevity of the battle our strength may be depleted and thus, we become weary. 

Many times we are constantly faced with battles of the same kind and we find that if we are not careful, we are tempted to throw in the towel and recede in the background because we've had enough.  I want to encourage you today to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  It is written in Romans 8:28 that, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 

Be thou strengthened my friends! He that began a good work in you is well able to see it unto completion.  Weariness is just another hurdle that requires that we exercise the strength and courage needed to cross over it.  One thing I do know and it is, your Father, our Father Who art in Heaven will never leave us nor forsake us.  The songwriter caught the vision as he penned the words of the song that says, "Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near, onward comes our Great Commander cheer my comrades cheer!" Victory is nigh so continue to press! Continue to push!

God bless you! 

Shalom, shalom

DON'T QUIT! IT'S NOT THE END YET!

For most of us if not all, can attest to the fact that the year 2020 came with it's ups and downs, major shifts, economic turmoil, chaos, confusion, frustration, setbacks, worry and the list goes on due to the onset of the global "plandemic" that the world is still grappling with.

Many of us are in a very pensive mood wondering what will happen next or whether or not there will be a bright future in view.  This is a time and era where both the churched and the unchurched are looking for answers.

I encourage you from the word of God today not to be discouraged, don't lose heart and sink in despair.  There is still hope!  We can find comfort in the word of God that says, "Fear not, for I am with you; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

God's plans for our lives are never to harm us but to give us what is best.  We can rest assured that His promises are sure if we only believe.  Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, " For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Why then are we worried?  God is not a man to lie or to change His mind. 

You may be wondering if that business deal or idea will ever be implemented, you may be wondering if your plans to travel, for that long awaited vacation will ever happen, you may be wondering if you should still venture out to achieve your goals but be encouraged today, don't give up on your dreams, on your goals or aspirations.  The God of possibilities is well able to cause them to come to fruition.

Don't let the enemy tell you that it is over! Don't let the enemy tell you that it's time to give up and give in!  Today God is saying to YOU, "DON'T QUIT! IT'S NOT THE END YET!"

Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and tell yourself that you shall succeed and you shall defy all the odds because you ain't quitting.  The things God has spoken over your life still stands!  The prophecies and the promises that God has said concerning you, still stands!  

Trust in the fact that God knows what He is doing and He is working it out for your good.  You will laugh again! You shall smile again! Your joy is coming back! You are coming back with a shout!  You are gonna be restored!

God bless you!

Shalom, shalom!