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.

Daily Devotional – 7/26/17 “The struggle is real!”

We show up to God’s house on Sunday, Tuesday or Wednesday; with remnants of mess still attached to us. Some of us don’t have any real intent to worship but it looks good for you to finally check in somewhere other than home or the club. Yet, you come with the stain of curse words still on your teeth, the fresh smell of pastor bashing on your lips, the mark of mess on your fingertips from just hitting publish on the post you just finished, no twinge of guilt from just sharing a group message about your family member and then you got the audacity to ask why hasn’t God spoken to you yet. Baby, is He supposed to squeeze Himself in between your rants or should He just wait until He thinks you’re done? When will we examine ourselves? It isn’t punishment when God is sometimes silent but it is God being purposefully in His actions. It isn’t God forsaking us when He doesn’t show up in the midst of our storms but sometimes we need to wallow within our own mess to understand it stinks. The struggle is indeed real.

Think back on some stuff you’ve done. Has your conscience ever had you wrestling all night only to roll over and see the dawn of a new day appearing? Well, this is where Jacob was in Genesis 32. For in my studying, these past few days, the bible says in Genesis 32:24, “So Jacob was left alone, and a Man [came and] wrestled with him until daybreak.” In my logic of thinking, I believe the cause of Jacob’s struggle was from his internal conscience from all that he’d done. Do I believe he struggled with God, yes by way of the “man” God allowed to manifest because sometimes our fight is from some stuff we’ve done. Now, you have to find the answer to the question, “How do I win the struggle?” Jacob tells you the answer and it is, you don’t let go. For the bible says in Genesis 32:26-27, “Then He said, “Let Me go, for day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing on me.” Yes, it is hard and you may end up hurt (ask Jacob) but don’t let go. Yes, the struggle is real but the only way you come out of it with a blessing, you’ve got to be willing to struggle with it until God says it’s finished.

Daily Devotional – 7/25/17 “Finish what you start!”

Have you ever seen a runner start a race and then decide, at the halfway point, this is too hard and walk off? Have you ever heard a preacher stop, in the middle of their sermon, and decide to quit simply because you weren’t listening? Have you ever driven 50 miles on a 100 mile trip but decide to turn around when it got dark? Have you ever gone half way through treatment and changed your mind? I’m asking because too many times, we forfeit some stuff by giving up too soon. I know you may not have been through some of the things I’ve mentioned above but I needed to give you a visual. I needed you to see how you are forsaking the blessing of going on. I need you to see the magnitude of giving up too soon. Is it always easy? Heck no. Is it worth it? Heck yes! This is why we have to stop getting defeated by the darkness when God, who is our light, is bright enough to get us through. We give up at the first sign of hardship when God has made us strong enough to endure. Beloved, you’ve got to finish what you start. How else can you get the credit you deserve? I mean, I checked and I have yet to see a reward for the person who gave up. I looked and I didn’t see a place on the scoreboard for someone who almost finished. I checked the website and I didn’t see a degree for somebody who almost graduated. Is there a place for somebody who almost succeeded?

Please understand, I am not talking about those who came in second; they finished. I am not talking about those who got a two degree, they finished. However, I am talking about those of us who begin something, only to quit when it gets tough. Yesterday, I almost quit the gym but then I felt the pain in my hips (from the weight) so I am pushing to finish what I started. I looked at my tuition bill and I almost quit school but I’ve got to finish what I started. I don’t know what you are thinking about giving up or that you are considering quitting but you have to finish what YOU started. In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul is talking to the churches of Macedonia about their giving. He said, they started when they were poor and being tested but their overflowing joy pushed them to give over what they could afford. Now Titus is being urged to go back to encourage them to finish. I am not sharing this in regards to money but for whatever it is you are thinking about quitting. For the bible says in 2 Corinthians 8:10-11, “And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire. Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means.” Finish what you’ve started, on your terms. It’s easy to give up but rewarding to finish.