How Excellent!

I was amazed  at the response from a person I ran into at the store today. When that person asked me  how I was doing and I said "excellent", he seemed offended. He went on to state that "no one is doing excellent....you may be doing good, but you are not doing excellent!" At this point, I just repeated," Yes, I am excellent." What the person didn't understand is that we serve an excellent God. In Him we move and have our being. Psalm 8:1 says " How excellent is thy name in all the earth." In Jesus' name I am doing excellent. No, I don't have a million dollars in the bank, but I'm not broke. All of my bills are not paid, but my lights are on.. I don't have everything that I want, but I do have all I need. I have my health and strength. I have food to eat. I woke up with love in my heart for all. I am not mad at anyone, and I pray for all: friends and enemies alike. I have joy in my soul. I am an "offspring of God".I would say again " I'm doing excellent!"

Psalm 8:1

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Psalm 8:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 8 (Whole Chapter)


Acts 17:28

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Acts 17:27-29 (in Context) Acts 17 (Whole Chapter)

GOD ,OUR DELIVERER!

I have heard people say that "God does not put more on you than you can bear".  Actually, God is not the one who is afflicting you. It is the devil or satan. It is he who is roaming the earth seeking whom he can devour. It is his intent to steal, kill, and destroy, not God's! God is for us, so much so, that He sent His only Son to die so we might live. Jesus came to save the world, not to condemn it! Satan would have us think that his evil plans for us are from God. We are not to be fooled! God delivers us from the plans of the devil and his afflictions. God is not the perpetrator. Sometimes, God allows us to go through tribulations like He did with Job, but He is not the initiator. Sometimes we even reap some things because of what we have sown, but God is not to be blamed. God only gives us good gifts. Sometimes our own lusts of the flesh causes sin and consequently, death and destruction, but GOD IS OUR DELIVERER!

 James 1:15-17-
¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
¹⁶ Do not err, my beloved brethren.
¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Psalm 34:19

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 34:18-20 (in Context) Psalm 34 (Whole Chapter)

Love to You!

In these modern times, we have a tendency to take love lightly without forethought relative to the potency and potential healing effect that real love has. Real love does not just lie in the heart "for" a person. It reaches out "to" the person.We very loosely use the word to express our sentiments toward others, but real love moves beyond the lines of mere emotion or sentimentality. How well do you really know or care to know the "object of your affections"?  Do you know that person's favorite color? Do you know what makes them smile, or cry? Do you know their life's mission? Do you understand their true passion in life? Are you sensitive to their "heart's cry"? Real love requires familiarity that surpasses mere superficiality, but rather, searches and reaches the depth of the soul. In the book of Genesis in the Bible, Jacob labored for seven years for Rachel. How many are willing to labor to know the person that they seek a connection with? Are you willing to ask the questions? How you willing to make the real sacrifice that real love requires? Love that lasts requires more than just acquaintance with the flesh, but a journey into the spiritual realm where love surpasses the finite and trivial and embraces the eternal!Genesis 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.Genesis 29:19-21 (in Context) Genesis 29 (Whole Chapter)

Still Laughing!

Many times you will face attacks by Satan in all kinds of forms. He will seem to be coming at you from all directions, but guess who will still be laughing even in the midst of the assaults? Yes, that's right! YOU!!!! I am a witness that no matter how hard enemies attack, even in the midst of trouble,  the dust of confusion, outright devilish assignments and character assassination attempts, God will give you joy over your enemies. You will have joy because of the covering of God. He will cover you   so that you will be so immune to Satan's tricks, that you will be able to dance with joy! When Satan thinks that he is laughing in your face, just know that you will not only have the last laugh, but you will have the first, second,third,etc.!!! Just keep in your heart and mind even in the middle of your struggles,that the joy of the Lord is your strength, according to Nehemiah 8:10:
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:9-11 (in Context) Nehemiah 8 (Whole Chapter)
Note: When the devil comes to your door as if to look you in your face with the question, ":Aren't you dead,yet?" Tell him emphatically "NO!'  "I'M STILL LAUGHING.!!!!"

2 Chronicles 20:27

Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

2 Chronicles 20:26-28 (in Context) 2 Chronicles 20 (Whole Chapter)

Still!

 

 It is easy to just be busy: going here and traveling there, but sometimes there is a need to slow down and be still. There comes a time when you have to take a moment to listen to God, because in the haste of life, you can miss His directions or instructions if you are too encumbered. When you are still, you can see Him in action. You can see His plan for your life. You can see His power and His glory exalted above everything in the earth realm, even your troubles! Sometimes you just need to leave everything behind, and get to a place called "still"!

Psalm 46:10 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Who is Your Shepherd?

Someone recently called from another state. She was struggling with family resentment, criticism and outright lies against her character. Often in counseling sessions, I will ask questions to cut through the maze and get to the heart of the matter. This case was no different. I asked her very simply to reflect upon the 23rd Psalm which begins with "The Lord is my shepherd". Then, I asked her "Who is your shepherd?" Are you going to let trouble lead you or are you going to let the Lord lead you to green pastures and beside the still waters? Are you going to let the Lord restore your soul or are you going to let trouble lead you into heartbreak, depression and despair? At the end, we both were shouting "Gloooory!" It is up to us to decide. Are we going to let trouble lead us or the Lord? Who is your shepherd?

Stand!

There comes a point when I just have to stand up to my troubles or adverse circumtances and tell them what "thus saith the Lord". Like Moses, I have had to tell the trials what God said! You have to take a stand and decide that you are going to tell the Pharoh of debt, low self esteem, fear, doubt, drug addition, criticism, enemies or whatever, that God said to let you go! Exodus 8:20And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exodus 8:19-21