Daily Devotional – 8/2/17 “He must increase”

A follower of my blog asked if I have ever done a devotional on John 3:30 that says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” I knew right off that I had not so I began to read. I had no plans to write it as the devotional today but God did. Is God not amazing? See, in John 3, John the Baptist has been baptizing in one area while Jesus was baptizing in another. A few of John’s disciples and an unnamed Jew began arguing over the issue of baptizing. The bible doesn’t say what the argument was about but we can surmise it was over the number of people because John 3:26 says, “Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, whom you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.” Yet John wasn’t moved because he responds by testifying about Jesus. He lets the disciples know that all he has done has been by the grace extended to him from heaven. He so powerfully says in John 3:29-30, “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John says, in other words, I was simply the best man/maid of honor whose responsibility was to handle the details of the wedding and deliver the bride to the groom. Now that the bride has shown up, my place is at their side. And this is how we are supposed to be as men and women of God. The presence of God in our lives ought to overshadow everything else. See, John the Baptist had the responsibility of the congregants of the ‘wedding’ until the bride showed up, he did that, so he had no reason to be upset when they took their eyes off him and placed them on Jesus. This is why John says “my joy has been fulfilled.” He’d done his part so he couldn’t be mad when it was time to turn over the reins. People of God, we have to understand what part we are to handle on this journey. We cannot afford for the lines to be blurred by tasks and titles. We don’t have time for our desires to outshine that of God. We must decrease as He increase. If we don’t it becomes about us and not God. We have to decrease in order for God to increase, there is no other way. Do your part, handle your responsibilities but know where your place is because if I shall be honest, you cannot do anything worthy of God without God. You can try but I can guarantee it will not be the same.

Daily Devotional – 8/1/17 “Try again!”

Here we are, seeing August 1, 2017 for the first time; what are you going to do with it? This is the eighth month of the year 2017, what’s your plan? Yes, we know that eight biblical means resurrection and regeneration or new beginning but what are your ideas? What will you do today that you did not do yesterday? What will your new beginning look and/or feel like? I’m only asking because, in actuality, you have a new beginning every day not just in the month of August. What are you doing? Think about it. If 8 is symbolic of new beginning then you have this opportunity on the 8th day of every month, the 8th hour of every day, the 8th step you take, the 8th breath you breathe, the 8th beat of your heart, the 8th blink of an eye and the 8th tremble of your vein. In other words, you didn’t have to wait until August for the new beginning. So, when will you get your life back? When will you get up and start new? When will you let the past go? When will you reignite the fire that is about to go out in your belly? When will you take advantage of your new beginning?

Beloved, nobody (that matters) is keeping count on the number of times you’ve fallen. Nobody (that matters) is looking at the many times you said one thing and did another. Nobody (that matters) is judging you. Nobody (that matters) is keeping up with your faults. We are simply waiting on you to stop. Stop judging yourself, stop beating yourself up, stop settling, stop opening up closed doors, stop reviving dead relationships, stop making excuses, stop looking back and stop being afraid to start over. Today beloved, today it is your time for a new beginning. No, I do not know what you’re dealing with neither am I walking in your shoes but I am praying for you my brother and my sister that your thought process changes for the better, today. Today, I am praying that this month begins the best time of your life. Today, I pray that you feel the supernatural power of God in your life. Today, I pray for things to begin to make sense and that you begin to make peace, you forgive, you begin to heal, you begin to laugh again, you begin to love again and you begin to see YOU again. The bible says in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Right now is your chance but it is up to you to decide to take it because it is another new beginning.

Daily Devotional – 7/31/17 “What are you doing with the oil?”

Yesterday I preached, like I’ve done many times before but it was different. My subject was “the cost of the oil,” and it was heavy but healing, emotional but enlightening and it was rough but renewing. It was one of those sermons that God didn’t give me until Saturday night and although I was still uneasy about it Sunday morning; the oil of God was set ablaze. And guess what, no one recorded it because I believe it was simply for those in attendance. I cannot explain it but somebody else besides me needed to understand that carrying the oil of God’s anointing can get heavy, it can cause you some pain and it can cost you a lot yet, there is still reward. I don’t know what God has in store for me neither do I know what He has for all of you (those) connected to me but God simply told me to tell you the oil comes at a cost. What do I mean? It will cost you some friendships, some relationships, some toiling, some nights of lying on your face, some days of crying instead of smiling, some extra attacks by the enemy and some times of wanting to give it all up. There is a cost. Oh but with the cost also come rewards because Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

This is why you have to be willing to pay the cost. Please understand, this isn’t just for those of us who have been called as messengers of God but it is for all of God’s children. We all have the oil, the only difference is that some of us who have been charged with pouring the oil (Samuel anoints Saul), some have been charged with wiping the oil (Mary wiped the feet of Jesus), some have been charged with the laying of the oil (James 5:14, “any among you sick…”) and some have to carry the oil (Exodus 27:20). What are you doing with the oil? I don’t know about you but daily, I feel like Isaiah and I say like Isaiah 61:1-3, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.” What are you doing with the oil? Are you doing your part or is your cup empty? Is your light shining or is your oil depleted? Are your hands working or is your oil dry? What, ma’am; sir, are you doing with the oil?

Daily Devotional – 7/28/17 “The Beatitudes”

Now, I need you to read this carefully. I am not about to add anything to it because I choose to let the word do the work. This isn’t for everybody but it’s for the somebody who is going through, who is staring out the window of their storm and tired of crying, for the you who is looking at the very thing that could elevate you to the next step on your journey and it seems hard, the you who is contemplating jumping off the cliff of your circumstance and the you who is debating whether to give it all up.

Jesus says this in Matthew 5:3-12 (AMP Bible) …
“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].

“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied. “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God. “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].


“Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Beatitudes means supreme blessedness. Simply meaning, it is what you ‘BE’ that determines your ‘ATITUDES.’

Daily Devotional – 7/27/17 “Unseen dirt is still dirt!”

I only wear stud earrings. I don’t know why but it is what I am comfortable with. Well, I usually get a nice pair of sterling silver studs (not too expensive) and once I put them in, they stay there. They endure hair washings, showers, workouts, sleep, sweat, etc. and sometimes, I forget about them. To you, all you see is my stud earrings. You don’t see the dirt that has accumulated on them, you just see the earring. Even I don’t see the dirt inside of them because the earrings are there, serving their purpose, not giving me any problems so I don’t bother them. However, when I remember, I take them out only to find them dirty and in need of cleaning. I mean, the kind of dirty that should have changed their outside appearance but it didn’t. What am I getting at? Sometimes, we can keep stuff close to us that is need of shaking out and cleaning. We hold on to people and things that have become a part of us and as long as they/it don’t bother us, we leave them put. When in fact, they need to be cleaned. No, their outside appearance hasn’t changed but the inside of them has. And if you were to look behind them, take a real good look inside or simply inquire; you’d see the dirt. If you are like me, you are probably reaching for your earrings right now because it has jogged your memory to clean them. What else needs cleaning in your life? You do know you cannot see out of dirty glasses, right? You can’t drink clean water out of a dirty cup. You can’t put clean clothes on a dirty body. You cannot build on a dirty relationship. Neither can you find real, good, clean love with the same dirty heart.

Yes, the outside appearance looks good but what’s hiding beneath? Have you ever walked into a house and looked at the floor and the carpet looked cleaned until you pulled it back? Ever looked at a person’s outer appearance and liked it, only to pull back the covering and was ashamed by their dirt? I’m only asking in order for you to figure out the last time you cleaned some stuff you’ve forgotten about? I know it makes you comfortable and it does not look dirty but it may just need cleaning. You don’t have to believe me but put a black rug at the door you use frequently and leave it here. Unless you have a compulsive nature to wash everything, every week; you’d probably never pick that rug up because the outer still looks okay. However, take that rug and put it in the washer and see if the water don’t reveal the dirt that has been hiding there. Just because it looks clean, don’t mean it is. After a workout where I didn’t sweat, my body still looks clean but I (and you) very well know that is not the case. Hidden, unseen dirt is still dirt.