Blessings and Obedience

Where is your obedience?

You have to plant the seed, keep watering it, and keep it clean.

Let it grow into what’s supposed to be! 

James 1:23-25, says “23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

When you obey the word of God, you experience the supernatural. 

For example, 

– When you don’t expect something, you don’t receive anything.

James 2:16-18, says “16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

Obedience is an expression of faith in God and believing in his commandments. 

You qualify for all the blessings; your harvest will come. 

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands, I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” 

Refuse NOT to QUIT.

Don’t get DISCOURAGED.

Don’t lose FAITH.

I believe you put yourself in a qualifying position when you trust, have faith, and obey God. 

“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.'” John 14:23

Expect the Unexpected

What’s your vision for the rest of 2020?

Let’s be honest, 2020 has been disappointing to a lot of us so far. We’re only 8 months into this year, and we have experienced dramatic changes. Plans, & vacations have been canceled as well as schools being shut down. Overall, there has been a lot of unrest.

So, let’s backtrack to the beginning of the year when many of us were so expectant for what was to come.

Many of us went into this year with the idea of having the perfect 2020, writing down our visions, goals, and plans for the year. A lot of negativity has defined in 2020, but we can choose how we will respond to the rest of this year.

Will we walk in fear, or will we walk in faith? Will we speak negativity, or will we speak life? Will we choose dissatisfaction, or will we choose joy? Although we can’t control the future, we can control our thoughts, words, and responses.

What was the vision God gave you for 2020?

Now, take a look at your heart and ask yourself, have I given up on 2020?
The vision that you had when you started this year does it remain the same?
In this scripture, it says that God is still good, and there is still hope.

Proverbs 23:18, says, “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Romans 8:25, it says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance, we wait eagerly for it.”

I challenge you to ask God for what your vision should be for the rest of 2020.

Let’s choose to speak life over our lives during this time, and to not lose hope in humanity and in our visions.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 says, “And the Lord answered me: ‘Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still, the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

This is a reminder to keep chasing and going after the things of God, no matter what the circumstances might be. His plans and hopes will always be much greater. Keep in mind, to not give up when things get hard because having a vision is being able to see something that isn’t done yet. If you want something to come to past, you have to have vision and faith before it ever comes to reality.

Get ahold of your vision so that you can do it in Christ.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

You matter.

You are loved.

God has a purpose and a plan for you.

The God Who is Above All

In a time when the world is in a state of panic and the media is in a frenzy, we must remember that GOD IS ABOVE ALL! The name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus, is greater than any sickness and any fear. 

It is smart to protect yourself and your family but God did not create you with a spirit of fear. Listen to the strengthening voice of God above the frantic voice of the news. 

Our heavenly Father’s voice says, 

“Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:9-11 NKJV

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

In the midst of this chaos God is not in heaven trying to figure out what to do. He is at peace. So you also be at peace knowing that He has conquered all. He is your safe place, your healer, your protector.

God Sees Your Value When No One Else Does

As humans, we all to some extent have a desire to feel valued and significant at our jobs, by our spouse or children, in our volunteer positions, and by our friends. 

There will be moments, maybe even seasons of your life when you feel everything you do goes unnoticed and that you are not valued in your relationships or your work. 

It may be true that the people around you are not realizing your significance but when those thoughts and feelings enter your mind, it is important to remember that you are always valued by your heavenly Father and that Jesus knows exactly what you are going through. 

Jesus surely did not feel valued as people hit Him, spit at Him, and pushed a crown of thorns onto His head before nailing Him to the cross (Mark 15:16-20). But God valued Him and was preparing a reward for Him. 

God sees you when you stay faithful in your volunteer positions, are mistreated at your job, go underappreciated as a stay at home parent, or when you are giving more than you’re receiving in your relationships. You may not feel valued, you may feel that all of your efforts are going unnoticed, but God sees you. 

Your value comes from heaven. Don’t let the applause, or lack thereof, of this world deter you from where God has placed you right now. Follow Jesus’ example of faithfulness and listen to the direction of the Holy Spirit because God loves you and will reward you in due time. 

How Far is Too Far With God?

Have you ever messed up and thought your actions were too bad for God to forgive or that you had strayed too far away from living out His Word that you couldn’t go back to the relationship you had?

I’ve got good news for you. 

Nothing is too far for God. He can forgive, resurrect, and transform all of our past mistakes when we are willing to go to Him. Think of the Apostle Paul for example! A persecuting murderer of Christians gets reconciled to God and goes on to preach the Gospel and write a good amount of our New Testament Bible. 

Wow. What an incredible almost unimaginable representation of how faithful our God is to forgive! The Apostle Paul’s testimony proves that when we go to God with a remorseful heart, He will forgive us. 

God is faithful not only to forgive us but to make every promise in His Word come to pass in our lives. Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (NKJV) Whatever you need today, whether it is forgiveness, healing, provision, or peace, know that God is faithful to give it to you.

You are never too far gone for God. He is willing, He is able, and He is faithful to transform your mistakes into victories.