“Lord, You Are The Answer To Our Anxiety”

1 Peter 5:6-11

Anxiety is defined as distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune; worry; suffering; uncertainty.

There is so many reasons we have anxiety. We get anxious about our finances, our health, our spouse, our children, our family, our jobs, our relationships and just life itself. The Lord is here for us, no matter what time, no matter what day, no matter what. To those who follow Him, Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” We must put off anxiety which is sin, “Be anxious for nothing.” In the parable of the sower, Jesus warns that the seed which fell among the thorns represents those who have heard the gospel, “and as they go on their way, they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” In the parable, only one of the groups is truly saved, namely, those who bring forth fruit with perseverance. Those who profess to believe, but then get choked out by worries, riches, and pleasures, have never taken self off the throne of their lives and put Jesus and His kingdom on the throne. They are deceived into thinking that they are Christians, but the truth is, they are just living with the same focus the world has, namely, for personal pleasure and peace. 

I come by this blessed morning to let you know to experience God’s peace instead of anxiety, we must pray with thankfulness about every concern. 

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, shall guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Thank You Lord!, For You Are Always Reliable”

2 Thessalonians 3:3

Reliable is defined as that may be relied on or trusted; dependable in achievement, accuracy, honesty; constant; steadfast. 

Reliable people are the kind of people you can count on no matter what. They will be there for your ups and your downs. There is no reliable person like Jesus, He is always available and ready. God's timing is always perfect. God's never early, never late, but always on time. Our timing isn't God's timing. For us, God's timing often feels like a long, desperate delay. God's perfect timing does two things: It grows our faith as we are forced to wait and trust in God and it makes certain that He, and He alone, gets the glory and praise for pulling us through. Thank you Lord, for you are always reliable. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” We put periods in our lives where God puts commas. We think it's over, period: Our marriages, our families, our jobs, our health, our futures. But God puts a comma in those places because it's not over until He says it's over.

I come by this evening to let you know, the Lord is reliable in whatever situation or circumstance you’re going through. He is a Waymaker, and Provider. Jesus will take what has died in you and raise it from the dead. He will see us through the crisis, not just barely surviving, but victorious. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“He Will Call Us From All Four Corners Of The Earth”

Isaiah 11:12-16

Corners is defined as the place at which two converging lines or surfaces meet; veer; intersection; distress; difficulty.

Everything hidden will come to light. In 1 Peter 2:9 it says, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession.” If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died, more than that, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. The reason no charge can stick to God’s chosen ones is that God “gave [his Son] up for us,” and it necessarily follows that God will “graciously give us all things.” The wonder is not only that there is “no condemnation,” but that this was all planned in eternity to be omnipotently successful. He did not do this great work like a fisherman throwing a net to see who might swim into it. We did not just happen to swim into God’s salvation. This was planned and performed with a special view to us, the chosen ones. This is a wonder to revel in. Being chosen by God is designed to secure for us the sweetness of humility. Being chosen by God means being destined for everlasting, all-satisfying praise of the infinitely beautiful God. Being chosen by God means that God will use all necessary means to bring you to this eternal glory. 

I come by today to assure you God will call us from all four corners of the earth. Being chosen by God means He will gather us when He comes, and give us justice. The chosen ones were treated just like Jesus, a stone which the builders rejected. But in God’s sight that stone was “chosen and precious. And that very stone became the cornerstone of the kingdom of God. He rose from the dead. There was a glorious vindication. We were designed to find our fullest satisfaction not in front of a mirror, but in front of God. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Your Gift Will Make Room For You”

Proverbs 18:16

Gift is defined as something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present. 

God has put a gift or talent in every person that the world will make room for. It is this gift that will enable us to fulfill our vision. It will make a way for us in life. God created us for the purpose of His Kingdom going forward. He has enabled us to reach people that no one else can, and it is the giftings He has given to us that accomplishes it. Romans 12:6 says, “having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.” We need to understand that our giftings are unique to each individual. Don’t look at what someone else can do and wish that was you. We may think our talent is weird and unpopular, but sometimes it is those of us who feel like we have the least to give who accomplish great things for God. Look at Gideon, everyone judged him and thought he was a coward because he hid away in a winepress in order to thresh wheat in safety. You know what God saw? Someone who would not give up and would think outside of the box to survive and defy the enemy. The enemy of your souls wants to make you feel like your gift is useless and that there is no way that your gift can make a difference. Your gift does make a difference. The more you use your gift, the bigger it gets. Over time as you become excellent in your gift, it gets noticed by others, and as you prove trustworthy, God will open doors for you. 

I come by this morning to encourage you that your gift is about to make room for you among people you never could have imagine. Get out there and use your gifts to God’s glory and don’t forget to thank the One who gave them to you. Thank You Jesus!!! Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Walking In Divine Favor”

Ephesians 1:11

Divine is defined as of or relating to God; godlike; angelic; holy; marvelous; supernatural; all powerful.

God favors us not because of anything we did but because of who He is. Divine favor produces wealth not riches. Divine favor produces supernatural increase and promotion. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Divine favor produces restoration of everything that the enemy has stolen from you. And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty. Divine favor produces honor in the midst of your adversaries. And the lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. Divine favor produces increased assets, especially in the area of real estate. And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord, possess thou the west and the south. Divine favor produces great victories in the midst of great impossibilities. For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses. Divine favor produces recognition, even when you seem the least likely to receive it. And, Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. Divine favor causes policies, rules, regulations and laws, to be changed and reversed to your advantage. And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son, of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces.

I come by this morning to let you know God is saving the best for last. We are the ones who are going to experience the favor of God in its fullness. Get ready because there are going to be some changes around your house, divine favor is coming, walk in it.  Be bless and I love you!!! JE

“Do Not Allow Man To Hinder You”

1 Peter 2:1-5

Hinder is defined as to cause delay, interruption, or difficulty in; hamper; impede; prevent; slow down; burden. 

Do not allow your past failures, past relationships, past mistakes and past bad choices define who you are today. Stop letting man or woman hinder you. God has great purpose for us and we have to walk in what He has for us. Keep moving forward in greatness. We can live like our past no longer defines us anymore. In Christ, we’re a new creation. We become our true identity in Him. Loved and forgiven, we’re no longer condemned. We must get rid of things in our past that hinders us. (1) Our past doesn’t define you. (2) Our past circumstances can’t be changed, but you can change. (3) Our past of shame is forgiven in Christ. (4) Our past shapes you, but you’re not to dwell there. (5) Our past only has the power you give it. (6) Our past is not a matter of others’ opinions of you and (7) Our past likely includes patterns from past choices. Don’t forget the lessons from your past; we don’t want to repeat mistakes. Instead, use memories of our past as motivators for change. Our difficulties and failings, not just our blessings and successes, have helped make us who we are today. We must learn from our experiences. In Hebrews 12:1 it encourages us to throw off everything that hinders, including the controlling behaviors rooted in our past and the sins entangled in our heart and run with perseverance the new race God has marked out for is. This “race” may involve teaching others what we’ve learned through hard experience and God’s grace. It might include comforting or encouraging hurting people, helping them understand God’s word or serving them.

I come by this morning to let you know God has great purpose in redeeming each one of us. What Satan means for evil in our lives, God wants to transform and use for His glory. We will no longer be hindered by man or woman. In this season our steps will be guided by the Lord and the Lord alone. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Your Labor In The Lord Is Not In Vain”

1 Corinthians 15:58

Labor is defined as the amount of physical, mental, and social effort used to produce goods and services; work; struggle; endeavor.

God gives our labor meaning and worth as we work in His will for His purpose. Jesus taught His listeners the difference between earthly treasure and heavenly treasure, and He emphasized the importance of the heavenly: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Whatever we focus on dictates our actions. When we focus on earthly success and wealth, we will expend our energies on earthly matters. However, when we focus on God’s priorities, our actions will reflect different priorities and our reward in heaven will last forever. We are to treasure the Lord Jesus most of all. When Jesus is our treasure, we will commit our resources, our money, our time, our talents, to His work in this world. Paul encourages servants that God has an eternal reward for those who are motivated to serve Christ: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” 

I come by this morning to let you know the treasures that await the child of God will far outweigh any trouble, inconvenience, or persecution we may face. Our labor is not in vain and we will be rewarded by God and not man. Continue to do the will of the Lord, your reward is great in Him. Be bless and I love you!!! JE

“We Are Empowered”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Empowered is defined as to give power or authority to; enable; authorize; permit; entrust; allow.

Our identity comes from our relationship with God. This is important because who we think we are determines how we live our life. We need to know that we were made in God’s image, in we have been made children of God through Christ, and we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit. God is a giving God. Because of that, He pulls from the unsearchable, limitless resources of His glory to give us strength or power in our inner being through the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot even come close to living the life that God has called us to. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, there is less of us, our wants, our desires, our sins, and our influences. We can live victoriously in this life by God’s grace, but it only comes through tapping into God’s limitless resources, being empowered through the Holy Spirit and living in the fullness of God. The powerful presence of God in our lives is not a one-time thing, it is eternal. We are empowered to be great in Jesus Christ. Jesus gives us the greatest example of what empowerment looks like. In Matthew 3:13-15; “Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. ‘I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,’ he said, ‘so why are you coming to me?’But Jesus said, ‘It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.’ So John agreed to baptize him.” John the Baptist was one of Jesus’ closest friend. He was also one of the first people Jesus empowered. 

I come by this blessed morning to let you know God gave us the greatest example of empowerment when He sent Jesus to Earth. God instilled Jesus with His power to not only perform miracles but to save all of creation. Because Jesus was empowered, He was able to empower those around Him in miraculous ways. We are empowered. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Because Of God”

Colossians 1:16

Because is defined as on account of; being; consider; for the sake of; due to; as long as.

Because of God, He can take a nothing and make it out of something. God use each of us to bless each other. Share your blessing with someone else, this is Thanksgiving. This is all because of God. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The earth was empty and void, that is until God took it and made it a something. He created light out of darkness (something out of nothing). He created the atmosphere, He created land and divided it from the water. He created vegetation. He created Sun, Moon and Stars to fill the sky. He created creatures to fill the sky and the water. He created creatures to fill the land and the word of God says, He created man. God is the only one, that can make a something out of nothing. Because of God. God formed a man from the dust of the ground. God can take nothing and turn it into something. Because of God we all exist today, not because of man or woman. We are here because of God. We live because of God. Nobody but God. Without God there would be nothing. Without God we would be nothing.

I come by this afternoon to remind someone, because of God we are whose we are today. We are nothing of our own. All the glory belongs to Him and Him alone. Not some things were created by God, but ALL things were created by him. Because of God. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“We Must Have Compassion For Our Enemies, Even When They Hurt Us”

Luke 6:27-32

Compassion is defined as a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another; empathy; mercy; grace; kindness; consideration.

Loving our enemies starts on the inside. Before we can show any outward display of loving our enemies there must first be an inward transformation. In other words, if we can’t love someone who is against us, the problem is because of what is inside us. The other person is not the problem. This can only flow from a heart that has been transformed by the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. He was stoned to death for preaching the truth to the Sanhedrin. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Why was Stephen able to do this? Because he was a man full of the Holy Spirit. His life had been transformed on the inside. Be first to forgive. Be the first to show love, even when you feel like they don’t deserve it. Be first to show kindness even if the person is not very nice. Because this is what Jesus did and by doing this we truly reflect His character. 

I come by this morning to let you know, regardless of how the enemy treat us, talk about us, lie on us, scandalizes our name, we’re going love them, pray for them and treat them with kindness. When we display this type of love to our enemies, we are showing them Jesus. We are showing that we are different than the world. And that my friends, is what being salt and light are all about. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“God Is With Us Even When We Feel Alone”

Psalms 145: 18-19

Alone is defined as separate, apart, or isolated from others; abandoned; forsaken.

We are never alone. God is always with us and He will never leave us. Jesus knows how it feels to be alone. Jesus came to earth and lived like we lived. He went through many of the same experiences & feelings we’ve had. He was publicly rejected and abandoned by his friends. At one point, Jesus asked His friends to pray for Him in a time of distress, and do you know what they did? They fell asleep. Imagine how alone He felt in that moment. Jesus has been alone. He knows what you are going through and He is with you in every moment, ready to comfort you. You can be in a crowd and still feel alone if you don’t feel connected to someone. It doesn’t matter if you are married or single, you can still feel alone. It doesn’t matter if you have children or not.  Loneliness can happen to anyone. David tells us about his loneliness in the book of Psalms.  David cried out to God “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.  Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.” Even Jesus experienced

loneliness. Isaiah 53:3 tells us the prophecy about Jesus and His loneliness. “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.”  On the cross Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 

I come by this morning to let you know no matter what, you’re not alone. Jesus is here to protect, provide and proclaim victory in and through you. No matter who walks away from us, God is still with us. We are not alone. Be bless and I love you!!! JE

“Never Mind Naysayers, For We Are Guided By God”

1 Peter 2:23-24

Naysayers are defined as a person who criticizes, objects to, or opposes something; doubter; person who expects bad outcomes; haters.

The bigger God’s opinion in your mind, the smaller the opinions of others will be. We can’t seek the approval of men over the approval of God. It doesn’t matter if others don’t agree with us. Don’t worry what other people will think; worry what God thinks. Lean not to your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge God and He shall direct your path. All our ways are guided by God and God alone. Man or woman do not have a Heaven or hell to put you in. What God thinks and says matters. There are four types of naysayers(haters). (1) There are the ones who criticize you and find a fault for everything you do out of jealousy. (2)The ones who try to make you look bad in front of others. (3)The ones who purposely bring you down so you won’t succeed instead of helping you and (4)there are the naysayers(haters) who hate behind your back and destroy your good name with slander. Most of the time haters are the closest people to you. The reason for nay-sayers are because you have something that they don’t. They need to put you down to feel good about themselves. They want to be the center of attention. They are bitter about something. They lose sight of contentment. They stop counting their blessings and start counting the blessings of others.  In Nehemiah 6:3-4 it said, “So I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.”

I come by this morning to let you know, don’t get distracted by negativity. Naysayers distractions come in the form of: ridicule, rumors, threats, and endless discussion to slow you down. But we must remember, every opportunity comes with opposition. The best way to deal with naysayers is to not engage them. Don’t waste your time and emotion trying to convince them they’re wrong, or getting into endless discussions. We’re most like Jesus when we stay silent under attack. Bless them instead. Be bless and I love you!!! JE

“But Not With Words Of Eloquent Wisdom”

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Eloquent is defined as having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech;

powerful;  passionate; touching; impressive; significant. 

We must let Christ speak in us and not to simply try and speak for Him. On our own we are only creation, but with Christ, we can do anything God asks or wills. When God calls us, His spirit speaks to us, prompts us and convicts us. When we are supposed to understand something, He will show us. It doesn’t have to be worded in a precise science and then it clicks, it has to be His prompting on our heart. Paul tells the people, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,  so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Though Paul was clearly skillful in his use of words, he did not want to persuade anyone to come to faith in Christ because of dazzling wordplay. Instead, he wanted to present the gospel as clearly as possible and allow his listeners to be persuaded by the simple, compelling fact that the Son of God died to pay the penalty for their own sin. That powerful message should not require dazzling packaging to make an impact. Colossians 4:6 tells us, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

I come by this morning to let you know we must use words that are clear and direct and present the plain message of “Christ crucified” to save sinners. Don’t worry about sounding smart, or being impressive. That’s Apostle Paul’s whole point. He’s not saying we can’t or shouldn’t, use language well. He is saying we should use language to exalt Christ, not ourselves. Amen! Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Spiritual Identity Theft“

John 10:7-15

Identity theft is defined as the fraudulent acquisition and use of a person's private identifying information.

 

Our spiritual identity is just as important as our physical identity. It saves your soul from being stolen by the devil by trusting the Lord and never doubting His plans for you. The spirit of Identity theft started in the Garden Eden with the serpent deceiving Eve about who she was. The serpent tempted Eve to pick a fruit from the Tree of Knowledge and talked Adam into eating it with her. A lot of us has experienced the same thing Eve has. We’re unable to recognize whose we really are in Christ so we walk around here pretending to be someone else. Like today’s con artists and hackers. Satan’s actions were motivated by discontent, jealousy, and envy. His tactics were based in lies, pretense, and deception. His goal was simple, to destroy the confidence that Adam and Eve had in their identity, today he comes to destroy the confidence we have as children of the Most High God. You see the devil used trickery and deception to attack their personal identity and relationship with God by causing them to doubt God’s love for them. Because they believed Satan’s lie’s more than God’s promises, they disobeyed God and ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In this one act of disobedience the fate of mankind was changed forever. Satan even used the same tactic on Jesus twice when he tried to tempt Him in the wilderness. Satan will always attack our identity in Christ first; to try and get us to question who and whose we are.

I come by today to encourage and remind each of you, in Christ, we can live the life God intended for us to have. We have Identity Theft Protection. As children of God, as long as we trust in God and in His Word, we have automatic identity theft protection. With Christ, your identity and password are safe, secure and never need to be reset. What is the password? It‘s simple and easy to remember: JESUS DID IT ALL! Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Lord, Give Us Peace Through Our Struggles”

Deuteronomy 31:6-8

Peace is defined as harmony, serenity; love; reconciliation; calm; contentment.

The the peace God offers is vastly different. It's lasting. Confident. Real. God reminds us in His word that peace will not naturally just come our way, He tells to “seek peace and pursue it.” God's words give strength, purpose, grace. They alone are what can bring inner calm to a whirlwind of crazy. Just before Paul reassures the people of this perfect peace available to guard their hearts, he encourages them to do something that might sound odd in light of their difficult experiences: Rejoice in the Lord. And not only on occasion, or when times are good, but to do so “always.” As Paul writes in Philippians 4:4-7;  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”

I come by this evening to let you know we know that in whatever we face, God is our peace and refuge, a very present help in times of trouble. Thank you that you remind us throughout your Word, we do not face the storms alone, but you are always with us. Whispering calm. Speaking peace. Bringing rest to our souls. There will be peace through our struggles. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Walking In Faith Regardless Of Our Circumstances”

1 John 2:15-16

Regardless is defined as having or showing no regard; heedless; unmindful; unconcerned; despite everything. 

To walk by faith is to fear God more than man; to obey the bible even when it conflicts with man’s commands; to choose righteousness over sin, no matter what the cost; to trust God in every circumstance; and to believe God rewards those who seek Him, regardless of who says otherwise. Apostle Paul reminds us that we as followers of Christ must not build our lives around things that have no eternal significance. Rather than pursuing the same things the world pursues, children of God should focus on the unseen realities such as Jesus and heaven. Apostle Paul goes on to say, "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please God. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he or she has done in the body, whether good or evil.” Jesus instructed us to store up treasure in heaven. He promised rewards to everyone who does His will and punishment for those who reject Him. Rather than loving the things of this world, we should spend our lives glorifying God in everything we do. This requires faith to live this way because we cannot see, hear, or touch anything spiritual. Regardless of our circumstances we must trust God in ALL things. Stop straddling the fence, either you’re going serve God or serve the devil. It’s time to choose and stop playing with God. 

I come by this morning to let you know to walk by faith regardless of your circumstances requires that we tune our hearts to the voice of the Holy Spirit and the truth of His word. We must choose to live according to what God reveals to us, rather than trust our own understanding. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“It’s The Trick Of The Enemy, Stop The Division”

Titus 3:9-11

Division is defined as the act or process of dividing; separation; disconnection; severance; dismemberment; detachment.

The enemy comes up in the camp to distract, stop and hinder the work of God. We must put on the armor of God. Be aware of the enemy’s tactics. Satan wants to immobilize us and keep us from progressing in our spiritual lives, and therefore, he will come with many different attacks. He wants to keep us from building and completing the work that God has called us to. Because our enemy is both wise and relentless, we must be aware of his tricks and schemes. The word tells us in Luke 11:17, “But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.” Division is a trick of the enemy and today so many of us has fallen into it. The enemy’s tactic of deception. When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of the enemies, Nehemiah had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it, though up to that time Nehemiah had not set the doors in the gates, Sanballat and Geshem sent him this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm him; so Nehemiah sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” We spend a lot time hating one another, envy, jealous, gossiping, lying, cheating, bickering, neglecting God and doing whatever we want until things go bad in our life then we want to come to Jesus just long enough to get what we need and then straight back to doing the same old thing. I call this pimping God. In this season God is uncovering and exposing people who they really are. You may fool people but you’re not fooling God. Take heed, you been warned. 

I come by this morning to remind you that the devil’s job is to kill, steal and destroy. We must be steadfast in the will of God to tear down every trick, plot and scheme of the enemy. The devil has no power unless we give it to him. Stop being a puppet for the enemy and be the vessel God called  you to be. Divided we fall but together we stand mighty and powerful in the name of Jesus. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Check Your Connection, Jesus Is Trying To Get Your Attention”

John 15:5

Connection is defined as something that connects or link; relationship; affiliation; association; union; attachment.

There are so many things that demands our attention: our jobs, our kids, our spouses, our hobbies and our friends. And we have to be careful not to let them become more important or more of a priority than our relationship with God. Anything can become a god to us, anything we worship or put an excessive amount of time into. Even our feelings can become a god if we allow them to control us. We need to ask ourselves, Are we bowing down to God and His Word or to our feelings? We must check our connections and make it our goal to have a deep, intimate relationship with God. Let Him into every area of our life. If we constantly look to other people for answers and validation, we have to pray about this and ask the Lord to help us stop doing that and instead look to Him. As we live to please God, He promises to bless our lives and make us prosper.

I come by this beautiful and blessed morning to let you know Jesus is trying to get your attention, check your connection.  Do not be distracted by ways and people of this world. God has greater for you. Trust Him in all things. He is a man that will not lie and His word will not return to Him void. Be bless and I love you!!! JE

“Do Not Be Deceived, The Enemy Is Cunning”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Cunning is defined as devious; slick; scheming; crafty; deceitful; sly. 

God is sovereign over Satan. The devil does not have a free hand in this world. He is on a leash, so that he can do no more than God permits. In effect, he must get permission, as in the case of Simon Peter, where Jesus discloses, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has asked to have you, that he might sift you like wheat.” And the case of Job: “The Lord said to Satan, “Behold, Job is in your hand; only spare his life.” The word says in 1 Peter 5:8-9, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." The enemy’s schemes are ruthless and cunning. The bible reminds us that the devil main aim is to steal, kill, and destroy. If we’re children of the living King, don’t ever believe for a second that the enemy hasn’t planned our demise. He will do everything he can to bring every believer down. That’s his goal, and he will stop at nothing to accomplish it.

I come by this evening to let you know the devil is not to be trusted or believed ever. God’s given us everything we need to resist and defeat the enemy’s plots and schemes. The bible never instructs us to fight the devil in our own strength, or to be afraid of him and his attacks. But it does tell us how to live strong and alert, knowing that God is the One who holds us secure. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Walking In The Spirit Of Gluttony”

Proverbs 25:21-28

Gluttony is defined as self-indulgence; slackness; covetousness; disobedience; pride; excessive greed. 

God has given us food, drink, and other pleasurable things to enjoy, but the bible calls for moderation in everything. Unrestrained self-indulgence in any area will lead to deeper entanglement in sin because it represents a rejection of godly self-control and disobedience to the will of God. The bible condemns gluttony as a sin and places it squarely in “the lust of the flesh.”  A person who puts no restraint on his or her passions and desires ends up with no defense when temptations come. Having lost self-control, we are in danger of being carried away into further sin and destruction. Gluttony is a form idolatry. When the desire for food, drink or things becomes too important to us, it’s a sign that it has become an idol in our lives. Any form of idolatry is a serious offense to God. In Ephesians 5:5 it says, “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person, such a person is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”  Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

I come by this morning to let you know we must be able to recognize the spirit of gluttony and rebuke it in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus. The word teaches that believers are to have only one master, the Lord Jesus Christ and worship Him alone. A wise Sister or Brother will carefully examine his or her own heart and behaviors to determine whether he or she has an unhealthy desire of gluttony. Be bless and I love you!!! JE

“The Redeemer Lives”

Proverbs 19:25

Redeemer is defined as deliverer; rescuer; Jesus; defender; protector; salvation. 

Suffering hits everyone differently, but nonetheless, everyone suffers. We must develop strength to face adversity by trusting the Lord. Job was a servant of God. He was a man possed of spiritual unique-ness. Job was unmatched in both: riches and righteousness. Job was blessed greatly by God. Job had no need of a job. Job was God’s blessing and God was Job’s blesser. Job has seven sons and three daughters. He had seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels. He had five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkies. His house was lavished with beauty and bounty. Job had servants going and coming. He was a biblical tycoon. He was called the greatest man in the East. But in all of his material plenitude, he was a spiritual marvel. He was a paradoxical enigma. He was rich but still righteous. He had plenty but still he prayed. He had earthly workers but he still maintained Heavenly worhship. He had land and livery but he knew that he had leased it from another. At the peak of his life God allowed Satan to strip him of his wealth. In an instant, his bank account was empty. In an instant, his employees died. In an instant, his children were gone. Instead of 10 children, he was left with ten caskets. Job went from riches to ruin. He went from the affluent to the afflicted. He went from the able to ashes. His beautiful resume’ was turned to rags. He went from the stand-up to the shut-in. Suddenly, Job triump was turned into an inexplicable tragedy. In an instant, sickness covered his body like blanket in a cold season. He nor his three friends could explain this strange occurrence. Job’s experience reminds us that quickly, a limosine could become a hearse. The same stuff that made him high and mightty left him poor and miserable. All of of his assets and accounts were frozen. But his faith in his living redeemer was still burning. 

I come by this evening to let you know our Redeemer lives. Even though Job lost his fame, family, fortune and his future. His wife lost her mind. But in the midst of this, Job kept his faith in his living redeemer. Job was a remarkble picture of faith in the strom. He was a trophy of human fidelity. Divine permission and Satanic intervention left Job in a most trying situation. His lost was sudden and sobering. Sickness and sorrow will tear everyman asunder. But Job teaches us that although he could not hold his houses. He could not keep his health. He could not shield his children. He could not depend on his wife. He could not count on his friends, he could still depend on the living Redeemer. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Lord, Remind Us To Keep Our Eyes On You, Even When We Don’t Understand”

Luke 9:62 

Remind us defined as to cause a person to remember; reminisce; recall; prompt; stir up. 

When times are good it feels easier to trust God, but when times feel difficult it is even more important to trust God. When it comes to trusting God, it means believing in His reliability, His Word, His ability and His strength. The bible says that God cannot lie. That He always keeps His promises. That He loves us and has good in store for us. Trusting in Him means believing what He says about Himself, about the world and about us is true. Trusting God is not about ignoring your feelings or reality. It is not pretending that everything is ok when it isn’t. Trusting God is living a life of belief in and obedience to God even when it’s difficult. When we trust someone, we feel comfortable being honest with them about anything. God is much more reliable than even our most trustworthy friend. When things feel difficult, He doesn’t ask us to keep those feelings to ourself.  In Psalms 56:8 it says, “You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.

I come by this morning to encourage each and every one of you, to trust God even when you can’t trace Him. The word reminds us, He is a present help in the time of trouble. We don’t understand Lord but we trust You. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Vulnerability”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Vulnerability is defined as openness to attack or hurt, either physically or in other ways; exposure; openness. 

To live as someone else is to resist the person God created you to be. The more you keep your mask on, the more of a stranger you’ll become. If we resolve to live a life free from vulnerability, our hearts will shatter under the weight of trying to hold it all together ourselves. God designed us with emotions and feelings that aren’t meant to be suppressed but expressed to one another. If we resolve to live a life free from vulnerability, our hearts will shatter under the weight of trying to hold it all together ourselves. Jesus chose to be vulnerable, understanding that vulnerability was the pathway to finding His strength in God to live out His purpose. He would never crush a broken heart nor disregard the weak and vulnerable. He will make sure justice comes to those who are wronged. Being honest takes humility, and Jesus was the perfect example of this. Jesus humbled Himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a man and was obedient. He was a perfect example, even in His death, a criminal’s death by crucifixion.

I come by this evening to let you know we have to choose each day to be honest with God about our sins, our emotions, our desires, and our motives. Even when it was uncomfortable, Jesus chose to be vulnerable, understanding that vulnerability was the pathway to finding his strength in God to live out His purpose. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Lord Give Us The Momentum To Keep Going Forward”

Hebrews 12:1-2

Momentum is defined as force or speed of movement; impetus; push; power; strength; drive; force. 

When we’re losing our passion to serve or to be a laborer in the work of God, look to Jesus. We must stay biblical focus at all times. We must lay aside all these weights; (1)relational burden - We pour ourselves into helping others, and six months later they quit. To go forward for the Lord, we have to let go of the disappointments of the past. (2)emotional burden - A lot of people serve the Lord with an “if,” and when that “if” isn’t met, it will become a weight and (3) comparison burden - If we measure our success by others, we will be weighted down with either pride or discouragement. Be a quick forgiver and don’t be so quick to end relationships. We don’t see results immediately, it’s in God’s timing. Patience is a virtue. Make a commitment to finish, the prize goes to the faithful. Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

I come by this morning to let someone know we must not go through the motions of ministry without a hunger for God’s presence. No goal is worth reaching without God. Amen!!! Keep your momentum and keep moving forward to see what the end is going to be. We have to be all in for Jesus. Stop straddling the fence and come to Jesus wholeheartedly. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Let Your Faith Be In God Who Calls Things Into Existence”

Mark 11:22-24

Existence is defined as life; reality; presence; perseverance; real; something that truly exists.

When God created the heavens and the earth he did so by speaking. He said let there be and there was. God in his great power literally spoke the world into existence. He spoke into what was void and empty. From that came this beautiful world that we see all around us. Let your faith be in the God who calls things into existence and not in your own ability to do that. In other words, be like Abraham. God told him he would give him a son in his old age. Abraham believed what God said, even though it took 25 years. Because Abraham believed God, what God said came to pass in Abraham’s life. Let your faith not be in your own words, let your faith be in God’s word. Isaiah 55:11 says; “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” We must trust in God’s word because He is a man that will not lie. The result of mountain-moving faith is not coming just from “what” you say. The result of mountain-moving faith is coming from “who” you are believing in. Believe God and believe his word, for that gives you access to his divine power. It is that power alone that will move the mountains and change the situations in your life. 

I come by this morning to let you know life and death are in the power of your tongue, so speak. Speak words of encouragement, life and hope to those around you. Speak God’s promises over your life. Speak to yourself and remind yourself who you are in Christ. Speak and encourage yourself in the Lord. Speak the word of God into your situations. Speak to the mountains and challenges in your life and don’t doubt that they will move. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Uncommon Blessings”

Revelation 3:7-9

Uncommon is defined as not common; unusual; rare; wonderful; exceptional; remarkable; abnormal.

God has empowered us and strengthened us on the inside with the uncommon blessings and therefore carry the capacity to do exploits wherever we find ourself and this blessing is beyond measures for there are no limitations at all to what we can do or become in Christ Jesus. Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, from the clan of Elimelech, a man of standing, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor." Naomi said to her, "Go ahead, my daughter." So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. Already we see God taking care of these ladies. Naomi is paralyzed with anxiety and depression and isn’t even trying to survive, but Ruth is not so paralyzed. Ruth decides to try to go out and join the harvesters and try to talk them in to letting her have some of the grain, so that Ruth and Naomi will have food. And here we see God at work on behalf of these two ladies. It seems coincidental that she picks that field, but it isn’t. It is God at work. God had made provision for people like Ruth to be able to join the harvest and get food from any farmer’s field. The haves were to care for the have-nots. Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, ‘The Lord be with you!’ Already we see Boaz as uncommon, even by his greeting. Those of us who have been blessed are not blessed to just enjoy the blessing. But we also have huge responsibility; because we are blessed as the bible says to “be a blessing,” not just enjoy the blessing. 

I come by this morning to let you know that we are blessed children of God. We have been created to prosper and we must see ourselves as a channel of blessings so we can fulfill our divine purpose on this part of eternity. We are purposed to receive uncommon blessings. God cares for the poor by giving some extra so that they can share with those who do not have enough. Be bless and I love you!!! JE

“We Must Look Past Our Limitations And Believe God For Something Bigger”

James 1:6-7

Limitations is defined as limiting a condition; restrictive weakness; lack of capacity; inability or handicap; restraint; disadvantage. 

God is everything. He is only limited, because we limit Him in our thinking. Jesus said, “All things are possible to him who believes.” What’s holding God back from moving in our life? Do we also have “faith” in our own human limitations? Faith is what we believe in, negative or positive. True faith, is faith in the unlimited promises of God. If we believe God’s word, but also believe we are limited in what we can have from God, then one “faith” is crossing out the other, and God can’t move in our life. We must believe for something bigger and trust in it with all our heart. Jesus often asked people if they believed He could do what they were asking Him to do. When He said, “According to your faith be it unto you,” He was showing us that although He is not limited in what He can give or do, our lack of faith limits what we can receive. Anything is possible with God, He is unlimited. The devil has no power, the only thing that gives him any power is our unbelief. It’s not God, or even the devil, who is limiting us; we limit ourselves.

I come by this morning to let you know we should stop limited God and allow Him to be big in all areas of our life. There is nothing impossible with God. Take off the limitations and believe for something bigger. We serve an omnipotent God. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“God Can Cross Any Barrier We May Have Put Up”

Psalms 27:5-6

Barrier is defined as anything built or serving to bar passage; obstacle; roadblock; wall; boundary.

We all have experienced circumstances that created barriers, which blocked our ability to believe what God has promised in His word. Without belief, we are unable to experience all of what He has for us to do in this life and consequently, we will not be very effective in building the Kingdom. Jesus made it very clear, belief is an essential key to breaking every kind of barrier. Sadly, the thing that hinders most children of God in life is the ability to remain standing strong in faith, especially when we don't immediately see God move in response to our prayers. Like Peter, we take our eyes off Jesus, and begin to sink in the stormy sea. We must realize God is a door opener. The word says in Revelation 3:7, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” Remember Esther, the orphaned slave girl, raised by her uncle Mordecai in a foreign land. She lived under King Ahasuerus of the Persian Empire. On the surface, it appeared that Esther had a bleak future and was destined to live a life of servitude among pagan worshippers. She had barriers all around her in life. But God is a door opener! Through a series of unusual events, the King of the empire chose this unlikely slave girl to be his new queen. Queen of the most powerful empire in the world. God continued to give her great favor and ultimately, Esther was in the right place, at the right time to influence King Ahasuerus and to allow the Jewish people to survive an attempted genocide.

I come by this morning to let you know that God wants us to stretch our faith, break through every barrier and accomplish great things for His Glory.

Despite every barrier we face, God opens the necessary doors for us to walk through, to fulfill our destiny. Be bless and I love you!!! JE

“May Our Enemies Work Unknowingly In Our Favor”

Deuteronomy 28:7-10

Unknowingly is defined as ignorantly or unaware; unready; unwillingly; off guard; by accident; unprepared.

The work of the enemy will not win against God. No hater can stop the favor of God in our life. We must pray for them and God will give them all a front row seat so they can see our life prosper. We can rejoice in spite of our circumstances because God wants us to take a throne attitude and rest while He takes care of everything else for us. Our greatest enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy. And he doesn’t work alone. He’ll use other people, even the people who are close to you and family too, to carry out his plans. Sometimes, it even seems like those plans are succeeding. Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall be condemn.” So, if we have people trying to hurt or harm us in some way, we should just walk in love toward them and stand on that scripture. Faith has no fear. If we are unforgiving and unloving toward our enemies, the promises are off the table. If we are worried, trying to take justice into our own hands, or gossiping about the situation, no deal. Stay in obedience and let God deal with your enemies. We all know that God can bless us, show us favor, promote us, heal us, but we don’t always realize, God can use our enemies to bless us. What we may think is a disappointment, a person that walked away, a friend that betrayed us, a coworker that’s trying to make us look bad, we may not like that, but we couldn’t reach our destiny without them. It’s all a part of God’s plan to get us to where we’re supposed to be. David would only be known as a shepherd boy if it wasn’t for Goliath. Goliath was strategically placed in David’s path, not to defeat him, but to promote him. Without Goliath, David would’ve never taken the throne.  Don’t complain about your enemies; it may look like a setback. But really it’s a set up for God to get us to our throne. After all, God could’ve used King Saul to promote David; Saul had the authority. He could’ve moved on Saul’s heart, told him to promote that young man, but God chose to bless David, not through his friends, but through his enemies. Amen!!!

I come by this evening to let you know God is preparing you for divine favor through your enemy. They’re not going know what hit them. We don’t have to play up to people, try to convince them to like us because God has the ultimate plan for us to succeed. When God brings you through the opposition, He’s not going to do it in private, He’s going to do it where all of those enemies can see it. Be bless and I love you!!! JE 

“Lord, Teach Us To Be Who You Created Us To Be”

Psalms 139:13-14

Teach is defined as to impart knowledge of or skill in; give instruction in; coach; prepare; direct. 

We are successful when we become who God created us to be. We are successful when we live out our purpose on earth. We are successful when we carry out our God-given assignment. We are successful when  we seek God first in all things. We are successful when God’s approval is the most important thing to us. Don’t resist your unique calling. God created you. You are unique. You are valuable. You are specific. You are the only you that exists. God created us for one reason: to know Him and love Him and have fellowship with Him. And originally that’s what happened; Adam and Eve loved God and had unbroken fellowship with Him. They not only lived in a perfect world, but they had perfect fellowship with their Creator. But God created them with a free will, that is, with the ability to either love Him or reject Him. But you know what happened. Satan told Adam and Eve that God was deceiving them (which was a lie), and if they obeyed him instead of God, they’d become like God. Tragically, they believed his lie and their fellowship with God was broken. You and I now share in the consequences of their sin. But God still loves us, and He still yearns for us to know Him and love Him and have fellowship with Him. And He has made this possible by sending Jesus Christ into the world to give His life for us. 

I come by tonight to let you know if you knew who God created you to be you wouldn’t never want to be anyone else. God has created each of us for significance. Our worth isn’t evolving. It is sure. It isn’t dependent on our success or failures. It is bought with the blood of the Lamb. We are allowed to be different. Not because I say so, but because God said so. Lord please teach us to be who You created us to be. Be bless and I love you!!! JE