Daily Devotional – 4/3/13 “I won’t complain, as much!”

I’ll be lying if I said I won’t complain because I might so I’ll just say I won’t complain as much. See, there’s no use in lying to God because He knows your heart. There’s really no excuse to lie to yourself because you know you. You know how you say, I’m going to stop cursing and you don’t even try too but the lie sounded good when you said it. So, just say you’ll work on stopping and then everyday try a little harder. If you know you’re not going to lose weight, then stop complaining about it and lying to the folks at the gym because they could care less. If you know you’re not going to stop eating all that fried food that has your blood pressure high, then stop complaining about it and lying to the doctor because he knows better which is why he keeps writing the prescriptions. Yea, your life should be worse, your situation could be darker, your test should be harder, you could be sicker, you should be dead and you could be richer but it’s not so complain a little less. You didn’t get enough sleep; it’s not our fault because we didn’t keep you up. Your account is in the negative, again it’s not our fault because we didn’t tell you to buy everybody in the house new clothes for Easter that’s now piled in the floor of their room or closet. Oh, your boo thang left; so sorry for you but if he or she was meant for you then they won’t run so let them go and stop complaining. And if the truth shall be told, you probably chased him/her when you got them so if they were running then what made you think they would stop now?

All I’m saying, things could be worse so be thankful and complain less until you have nothing to complain about. What should you be thankful for, I don’t know but I’m surely thankful that I have warm blood flowing through my veins, my eyes see, my ears hear, my mouth speaks, my legs and arms move when I want them too, I can feel the things I touch, I woke up to my family who are well and in their right mind, I still had a roof over my head that a fire didn’t destroy, I have a car that a drunk driver didn’t take, I have my grams, mother, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and even the same enemies that death didn’t get, I have a job when someone is still looking for one, I have a few dollars in my pocket and someone is begging for one, I have food to eat and someone is digging in trash looking for scraps, I have prayer that sustains me, a God that maintains me, joy that fills me, the Holy Spirit that intercedes for me, Jesus who died for me, repentance that cleans me and praise that goes ahead of me. When I want to complain I think about where I should have been. Even in the midst of my complaint, I think about where I could be and I become ashamed of myself. Yea, I will complain but not as much as yesterday until I can honestly say, I won’t complain. What about you?

Daily Devotional – 4/2/13 “God’s hospital of healing!”

I know you’ve been trying to find out how do you receive healing for your sin sick soul. You’ve been trying to figure out how to heal the holes that have been placed in your spirit or the scars from your knees because it seems like you keep praying with no answer. How do you remove the stains from all the tears you’ve cried or mend your broken heart after it keeps getting shattered? Well, let me tell you. You need to visit God’s hospital of healing. Yea, you read that right, God’s hospital of healing. There are many locations to serve you because there is one on almost every corner. They are open every Sunday, some Mondays and Wednesdays and sometimes on Saturday. There is usually no line or waiting and you don’t even need an appointment because all you have to do is go in, find you a seat and be ready to receive your healing. Where is this place? It’s called church. But before you go, you need to make sure the doctor you’ll be seeing is certified to handle your situation. How do you do that, you ask? Well, that’s simple because 1 John 4:1 says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Now, in order for you to test the spirit to see if it’s actually of God, your spirit has to be right; you know God filled. (Maybe you should read that again) See, spirits tend to attract who they are so if your spirit is of peace then you’ll attract peaceful spirited people but honey, if your spirit is filled with hell because you’re messy and always stressing then you’ll attract the same type folk.

So, after you’ve made sure the doctor’s spirit is right you have to now trust God! Trust God and stop worrying about Dr. Pastor because his job is to teach you God’s word just like writing a prescription but salvation is your choice, just like filling the prescription and taking the medicine. Next you have to actually go to church in order to get the healing just like you have to go to the doctor’s office. Then you have to go in prepared to get your healing and that comes with studying God’s word on your own, just like you research when you’re self diagnosing yourself. Then you have to be ready to receive your healing because when the pastor anoints your body with oil, there isn’t any power in that oil but the power is in yours and the pastor’s faith and if you both believe that your healing shall be done, then it shall be (if it’s God’s will.) Finally, receive your healing by speaking it over yourself with the power that it’s already done because Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Yes, the hospital for your sin sick soul is open but you have to go the same way you have to go to the doctor’s office or ER. Try it for yourself and unlike the rising cost of medical bills, it’ll only cost you 10% (that’s tithing) which is much cheaper than visiting the ER. You will sin, but God forgives if you repent. You will have temptations but God can give you the strength to overcome them. You will have days of wanting to give up but God won’t allow you too. You may want to throw in the towel but just simply wave it while telling God thank you. Visit God’s hospital of healing for all you need because I can guarantee that no matter how bad you feel when you walk in, it can all be released with the power of God and the Holy Ghost, if you allow it to be done. When you’re sick, shout yourself well until you feel a shaking in your spirit. When you’re down, dance until you declare your deliverance. When you’re in pain, praise until you possess the power to push on! When you’re sad; sing until you’ve successfully snatched your smile back. When you’re broke, believe in the benefit of God’s blessings. You have the power and God has the prescription because Matthew 21:22 says, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Daily Devotional – 4/1/13 “What now?”

You celebrated the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus on yesterday, what now? You probably got dressed and even got the kids or grandkids dressed all pretty in their spring colors but what now? You probably colored eggs, had an Easter egg hunt and cooked a grand meal but what now? You probably even went to church and let the kids recite an Easter speech but what now? You listened to the last 7 sayings from Jesus on the cross, you heard about the beatings He received, the mocking and the spitting that was done, the nails being driven in Jesus’ hands and feet, the sour wine He was given to drink, how He was buried in someone else’s grave and even how He rose early that Sunday morning but what now? Will you and the kids get all dressed up and be at church next Sunday? Did you explain to the kids that eggs and rabbits really don’t have significance to the real reason of Resurrection Sunday?

You do know that it’s not all about the baskets filled with candy because there was nothing sweet about the hell that Jesus endured. It’s not about the pretty dresses and bows, the new shoes or the purse that matched your outfit because clothes didn’t save Jesus from having thorns piercing His scalp or nails from being driven into His flesh. It’s not about the colored eggs or even the ham you cooked because all Jesus was given was sour wine to drink. It’s not even about the Easter speeches that we make the kids learn because if you don’t take them back to worship, the following Sunday, then how will they know the rest of God’s word? See, we spend so much time getting dressed up for a special occasion but why can’t every Sunday be a special occasion? Why can’t we treat every Sunday like its Easter when Jesus died just so we’d have a right to live even when we sin? Why can’t the churches be packed every Sunday? I mean, you celebrate your birthday all month, why can’t you celebrate the fact the Jesus died for our transgressions and rose just so we’d be able to live? After you’ve done all the celebrating, eating, drinking and fellowshipping on yesterday, what now? Will you forgive like Jesus did in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do?” Will you help somebody who doesn’t understand the salvation of the Lord like Jesus did in Luke 23:43; “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise?” Will you appreciate the relationships you have like Jesus did in John 19:26-27, “Woman, behold your son, behold your mother?” Will you stop acting like you’re the only one with trials every time you cry out like Jesus did in Matthew 27:46, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Will you realize that God is your everlasting water that will fulfill your thirst each time you cry out like Jesus did in John 19:28, “I am thirsty?” Will you rejoice in knowing that after this life is over, you have a place that is prepared for you, if you’ve lived right, and proclaim like Jesus did in John 19:30, “It is finished?” Will you say and mean it like Jesus said in Luke 23:46, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit?” Will you? After you’ve cleaned up the egg shells, threw away the candy paper, stacked up the baskets, hung up the Easter dresses and suits and taken down the Happy Easter signs, what now?

Daily Devotional – 3/29/13 “Making Preparations”

After they sentenced Jesus to be crucified, after they placed a crown of thorns on his head, a robe on his body and mocked His name of King; Matthew 27:31 says “After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”

See, even after all that, they placed the same clothes Jesus had on before hand back on Him before they marched Him to Skull Hill (Golgotha) to be crucified. Yet, we go out and spend all our money that should be set aside for bills, medicine, food and necessities on clothes for Easter Sunday. Yea, we get all dressed up with no where to go. Jesus had a place to go after He died because He did all the things He was supposed to do but can you say the same? Will you be at church on next Sunday or is this one the only one? Don’t get me wrong, its your business what you do but while you’re buying shoes have you told the kids about the many miles Jesus had to walk bearing His own cross? While you buying new clothes, have you read about all the torture that Jesus endured just so we’d have an opportunity to everlasting life? While you’re getting your nails and feet done, have you read about the nails that were pierced in Jesus’ hands and feet so that we could have the chance to be forgiven for our sins?

Take a moment during your day and reflect on the real reason we celebrate Resurrection Sunday. It’s not about eggs because rabbits can’t lay any. It’s not about candy because there was nothing sweet about the Hell Jesus went through. It’s not even about the speeches but its about your belief in a Man who was persecuted even though He was innocent, beaten although He only came to help, chastised for His healing power and hung for our transgressions. So, while you’re getting prepared for Easter; make sure you have a place to go when you leave here.

Daily Devotional – 3/28/13 “Last sayings on the cross – Day 4”

On last night I had the opportunity, along with my spiritual BFF LaShundra Richmond, to speak at our church on this very topic; the last sayings on the cross. If I told you that I am in awe of God’s wonderful power it would be an understatement. See, Shun and I grew up in the church together and it wasn’t until a year or so ago that we touched base again and realized that we connected spiritually, I mean almost like I can feel her and she can feel me. It’s amazing the journey that God takes you on and on last night the Holy Spirit really worked through us, the Tag Team Ministry, we are called. I had to share that because one of the things Jesus said on the cross was to His mother Mary. He said to her, “Woman, behold your son” and to one of the disciples He said, “Behold your mother.” (John 19:26-27)

See, Jesus saw His mother weeping and He knew that she would need somebody to lean on, so He told her to look at her new son which was the disciple who stood next to her. He didn’t want her mourning over Him because He knew that His work was finished so He left her somebody in the flesh that could be there for her. Yea, see I’ve realized that God places people in our lives at the exact moment we need them even if we don’t understand it at that time. God knew this spiritual destiny that He had placed me on would be hard, rough and would sometimes have me wanting to give up so He sent me somebody who understands. It’s the same way with you. If you sit and think about the folks who are supposed to be in your life, you will see the purpose they serve. This is why you should wait for God to send your spouse. This is why you should have your heart in God so that He can distinguish your friends from the enemies who dress in nice clothes. This is why you have to stay prayed up in order to be able to see the good and the bad in folks. This is why the bible says in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Yea because in your natural eyes you’ll see love but in your spiritual eyes you’ll see that it’s just lust. In your natural eyes you’ll see green grass but in your spiritual eyes you’ll see it’s just a patch of dirt painted green. In your natural eyes you’ll see trust but in your spiritual eyes you’ll see God saying it’s just temptation. In your natural eyes you’ll see marriage but in your spiritual eyes God will show that it’s just misery looking for company. This is why you need to value the relationships (marriage, friendships, fellowships, etc.,) you have. Stop taking folk and time for granted because neither one is promised. I’ve said this before but I don’t mind sharing it again… People often say you don’t miss what you had until it’s gone but you knew exactly what you had you just thought you’d never lose it. Behold your life, love and relationships while you have a chance. This simply means look at, observe, see and witness what you already have because they, it, we, us, them and you all have an appointed time to go.