“HE IS __________”

The other night, in my book study group, during our prayer/dialogue session, the following scripture came up:

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that HE IS, and that HE IS a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

I have read, heard, and quoted this passage of scripture countless times, usually focusing on the first half of the scripture, “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” But, this time something else stuck out to me like never before: “for he that cometh to God must believe that HE IS…” Immediately, I just began to rejoice! Why did I begin to rejoice, you ask? Because it hit me that no matter what you are in need of, HE IS! Just fill in the blank! HE IS the answer to every one of your prayers. HE IS the solution to every one of your problems, no matter how big or small.

He wants us to know and to take Him at His Word; because He also says: “I Am That I Am.” (Exodus 3:14)

So, after the book discussion, I just began to reflect upon His Holy Word and all that HE IS…

HE IS Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Revelation 22:13)

HE IS the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God. (1 Timothy 1:17)

HE IS your God who provides. (Genesis 22:14)

HE IS God your healer. (Exodus 5:26)

HE IS your peace. (Judges 6:24)

HE IS the Lord your Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6)

HE IS Love. (1 John 4:8)

HE IS merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (Psalm 103:8)

HE IS your keeper. (Psalm 121:5)

HE IS your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

I could literally go on and on and on about WHO/WHAT HE IS to you. I want to encourage you on today, to remember these scriptures, these promises of God; and the next time you are facing a difficult situation, just remember to call upon I AM.

So, That Settles It, God said it, and HE IS faithful to do just what He said He would do.

 

“Let it Shine”

Have you ever noticed how dirt and dust shows up more in natural light than it does in artificial light? A few days ago, I swiffered my hardwood floors late in the evening using the artificial lighting in the house.  The next morning when the sun shined bright through the house, I saw several spots that I had missed the night before; and they stuck out like a sore thumb because the area all around them was clean and shining bright.

Your Spiritual Light is that natural light. When you allow the Light of the Lord to shine in you and through you, the Light that is illuminating through you causes those around you who are walking in darkness to feel exposed and uncomfortable.  You don’t have to do or say anything, sometimes you don’t even know why they are fidgety, but the light will do what it is designed to do, cause darkness to flee.  Light and darkness cannot dwell together. When light shows up darkness must flee. (2 Corinthians 6:14)

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

There are two ways that you will know that your Light is shining bright:

1 ~ People will be drawn to you; they won’t even know why; and it’s not because you are any better than anyone else, it is simply because of the Greater One who lives inside of you. Like a moth to a flame, people are attracted to the Light.

2 ~ Some people will dislike you, without any offense from you. These are the people who say, “I don’t like her/him; I don’t know why, I just don’t.” These people really do not know why they don’t like you; because in all actuality, it is not them who hates you, it is the darkness, the spiritual wickedness that they have allowed to reside in them and use them to do the works of the kingdom of darkness that causes them to dislike you.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

So, what do you do? Let it Shine!

When you are in fellowship with God, you commune with Him on a regular basis, and you yield the members of your body to His Will and His way, the Light of His Love can’t help but to shine through you.

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. (Colossians 1:12-13)

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Romans 6:13)

The truth of the matter is that you were never designed to fit in, you are to be holy and set apart. When you make a decision to live a life of holiness, there are people who will not like you because of the Light that is shining through you.  See, the Light makes those who are living a life of sin and wickedness uncomfortable because the True Light of God, shines on all the dark/hidden places, those places that artificial light, (those not walking in the Light) misses, or cannot detect. Sometimes, this journey may get a little lonely when you choose to live holy, but you have to separate yourself from anything that is not like God, so your Light will continue to shine bright.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. (2 Corinthians 6:17)

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16)

For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Deuteronomy 14:2)

The same is true for those Believers who may be straddling the fence, those who are touching unclean things and dabbling in sin; some may not feel comfortable around you because your Light convicts them, and they are reminded that they too should be walking in the light. Some may try to belittle you and mock you and make you feel like “It doesn’t take all of that;” but don’t get discouraged, just know that the Light is doing what is was designed to do: expose and expel any darkness.  Conviction is good for them because it means there is still hope, there is still an opportunity for these individuals to repent and turn from their sinful ways.

As child of God walking in the Light of His Love, you are made free and your liberty allows those around you to be liberated. That’s why it is so important that you do not compromise, or do anything that will cause your Light to diminish.  It is the Light that sets the captives free!

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

So, That Settles It, just like the old song, remind yourself each day: “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Gonna Let it Shine.”

 

 

“Above All Things”

Have you ever wondered how a hot-air balloon works? Hot-air balloons float because the air trapped inside the balloon is heated up by a burner, making it less dense than the air outside. Heat is necessary for the hot-air balloon to rise.

Just as with hot-air balloons, the heat is what makes you rise. Your enemies, tests, trials, and tribulations (tests of your faith) are that heat. The testing of your faith, that’s the heat that will cause you to be elevated, that causes you to rise.

How does it make you rise? Simple…the heat (testing of your faith) will burn off anything that is not like God, purifying you, causing you to trust God more, and ultimately increasing your faith even the more, rising above every situation, to the Glory of God.

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1 Peter 1:7 NLT)

“Above All Things”…this means above rejection, above failures, above past hurts, above shortcomings, above people’s opinions, above negativity, above doubt, above fear, above sickness, above infirmities, above your enemies… “Above All Things,” God’s Will is for you to prosper and to be in health.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 2)

This is one of my favorite scriptures because it is one of the many Good Thoughts that God has towards us. He is up front with us about what He desires for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

So, weapons will form against you, but God has already given you HIS guarantee that those weapons shall NOT prosper. Those weapons are the heat that is needed to cause your faith to RISE.

“No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17)

Just as with hot-air balloons, the higher you go, the smaller things beneath you begin to look. This has to be your perspective.  These attacks are beneath you. Those pesky futile attempts of the enemy: place them under your feet.  Have faith…the devil is already defeated. Don’t allow him to distract you and get you off course.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. (Psalm 24:7-10)

You have to get to that place in trusting and believing God that you are just like the Captain of a hot-air balloon: you can’t really steer it, and it only travels as fast as the wind blows. So, really all you have to do is enjoy the ride.  Trust God, rest in Him, and follow Him as He leads you into your Purpose and your Destiny; trust Him as He fights and WINS every one of your battles!

So, That Settles It, Look Up! And remember that when you place your faith in God, you shall rise “Above All Things.”

“Spiritual Dossier”

Earlier in the week, someone I have known for several years, posted on Social Media commending me for living a life that is pleasing to God, and for allowing His Light to shine in and through me. I am so grateful and appreciative for so many reasons. First of all, I am thankful that that the Fruit of the Spirit are on display in my life. (Galatians 5:22-23)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Second, I am appreciative that this individual felt compelled to share it with me, but she potentially shared it with the world; because anyone who has access to the internet can view this posting. Which leads me to my topic for this week:

“Spiritual Dossier” What does your “Spiritual Dossier” say about you?

A dossier is a file containing detailed records on a particular person or subject. A Digital Dossier is anything about you that has been posted and can be located or accessed on the internet, whether public or private, good or bad; just like this person’s post about me, thankfully it was good. I boast not in myself, but To God be the Glory!

That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:29)

That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31)

The Bad Things About You:

The enemy is the accuser of the brethren. (Revelation 12:10) His goal is to display your “Spiritual Dossier” as “Bad.” He wants to flash it before you and threaten to further expose the “Bad” things that you have done. He wants to tarnish your identity, so that no one, especially you, will believe in you. His sole purpose is to leave a negative impact on your life and the lives of those connected to you. There is no truth in him. (John 8:44)

The devil will constantly try to remind you of past mistakes, failures, and even past sins (for which you have already been forgiven). He will try to make you believe that you are not good enough to receive God’s love…ALL LIES!

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10)

The Good Things About You:

The Word of God is filled with all the many “Good” things, God says about you. He has good thoughts towards you. (Psalm 139:17)

He reminds you that you have been redeemed because of HIS Grace. (Romans 3:24)

You don’t have to feel condemned. (Romans 8:1)

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4)

Now, with a Digital Dossier, there are provisions you can take to “scrub” your digital history; this is done in order to protect you from any negative impact your past may have on potential employment or opportunities.

Because of Jesus, God has “scrubbed” your sin history.

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” (Isaiah 43:25)

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” (Isaiah 44:22)

God says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19)

 

Your “Spiritual Dossier” has been “scrubbed” and is now filled with all of God’s marvelous thoughts towards you, the way He sees you; this is your true identity. And if God said it, then That Settles It.