His Teachings

Living in our present time of instant gratification and instant results has in many ways been a hindrance and a bit misleading. It doesn't take a Believer in Christ long to realize that GOD does not do many things instantly. GOD is more concerned with the quality and completion of the work than the speed.  James 1:2-4 says it like this: My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse trials; knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

I was meditating on a few things this morning and thinking about the wisdom of GOD. There are countless times when I have made a plan and what I planned just did not work out that way. No disclaimers, my plan simply failed. This has not always been the case. There are a few instances where I can actually recall my plan working out just as I planned - but this is the exception, not the rule. Why do our plans fail? How can we have peace when they don't come to pass? Proverbs 16:9 says: A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps. My best explanation for plans failing is based on the fact that we as humans do not have enough information to actually make plans. Think about it: We do not know the future We have no way to plan for the unexpected circumstances that might occur

God as we know Him has always been and always will be. He has no beginning and no end. His wisdom is shown throughout the cosmos and our home, planet Earth.  When Moses was called by God to go deliver the children of Israel, he asked God who should He say sent him?  God replied, "I AM." He further explained that He was " I AM that I AM." Seems kind of weird for a name, right? After the Israelites were delivered, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. During this time, I AM revealed who He was by what He did.  God revealed who He was by what He did.  If you feel lost, confused, or struggle with unbelief, please use this as a reference. Call on The Lord and watch Him show up. He knows your heart, so you don't have to be fancy with your words or know what to say - simply call out to I AM and watch Him become what you need! Keep pressing. Your labor is not in vain. 

We all have them, and we all wish that they would go away -- forever. I'm talking about trials and tribulations. As the people of God, we must endure trials and tribulations. The world goes through their own as well. However, the purpose behind ours is unique. These detested things offer hidden blessings and provide lasting wisdom that will help us and others as we continue to travel the narrow road, on our way to the strait gate.

When we feel deserted by God, or that we are being tested beyond our limits, we can be assured that there is a purpose.  Sometimes tests reveal areas within us we are unaware of, or think we've "mastered." We find ourselves responding in ways that even shock us.  At these times, we must simply ask for forgiveness and work on that area. God is faithful to forgive once we confess our sins.  More importantly, we must humble ourselves and seek His face. He knows more about us than we do yet still loves us.  So don't be discouraged if you fail a test (in your mind), because sometimes GOD is not testing us on what we think, rather testing our hearts and willingness to repent and move forward.  This race is not given to the swift or strong, rather to those who endure and keep going.  We can overcome. Our righteousness is not of ourselves.  

The children of Israel were tried, proved, and taken into the wilderness. This time in their lives was not permanent, but most of them had the mindset that it was. This caused them to prolong their time in the wilderness and delay their promise. The Lord never intended for their transitional period to become their home for 40 years.  How many of us get stuck in transitions? We must understand that our promised land includes all of the promises that we are seeking from God but have yet to possess. Possessing our promises requires diligence, obedience and war. Joshua led the children of Israel in many battles. But we also see the children of Israel losing battles where there was disobedience towards God.  There is a purpose in the battle.  So many times we want to possess financial freedom, healing, strength, joy, peace, and all the other promises given to us through Jesus Christ; but these promises come with a battle. We battle our forme...

This morning I woke up to a CNN alert about a Canadian Pastor who was being held in North Korea after an aid mission. Yesterday, I went to lunch with a girlfriend who needed godly counsel about a personal situation that was unfair. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 Seems like every time we turn around as the people of God, we are being targeted and unfairly accused or mistreated. This is definitely NOT FAIR! 2 Timothy 2:12 (NLT)  If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. But, let's look at 1 Peter 4:16 (KJV): "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." Now, it is easy to read this scripture and just dismiss it as another scripture, but let's apply it to our daily lives. Circumstances where we as Christians are targeted and falsely accused and / or mistreated for the sake of Christ: You may be the o...