“We Wasn’t Created To Glorify Man But To Glorify God”

Colossians 3:23-25

Glorify is defined as to praise; to magnify and honor in worship; to honor; to extol.

We all have the same calling: to glorify God in everything we do. To glorify God is not to bestow glory on God or add to His glory, but to recognize and acknowledge His glory. We glorify the Lord with our lips, obey His word, pray in Jesus’s name, produce spirit fruit, give generously and be faithful. God created Israel for his glory. The existence of Israel was planned and conceived and achieved because God wanted to get glory for his name through her. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us; “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” And Matthew 5:16 says; “Let your light so shine among men that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Isaiah 43:5-7, Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up! and to the south, Do not hold them back. Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. To glorify God is to reveal Him to those we encounter and throughout our society. We are primarily made for God’s glory, to be His reflection in the world. 

I come by this evening to let you know nothing can compare to God not now or ever. When we glorify God, we become the best we can be and achieve harmony in a world ruptured by sin and wickedness. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“Forgive Others Not Because They Deserve It But Because You Deserve Peace”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Peace is defined as harmony; calm; serenity; truce; love. 

Today, January 23, 2022, I choose to forgive. I deserve peace and today I’m going to walk in it boldly. Regardless of what was said, done or thought towards me. I love you and there isn’t nothing you can do to change or alter it, because my love is truly genuine. Lord, I thank You for renewing by heart, mind and soul. The devil lose again. Lord, where you’re taking me, everybody can’t go and I understand that now. Forgiveness is not something that we say with our mouth. It is something that we do with our heart. Many people say they forgive, but they never truly forgive. They harbor a hidden bitterness in their heart. Imagine if God never truly forgave us. Where would we be? Hell where we belong. Forgiveness comes from God and when we forgive others that is an earthly reflection of God and His love being poured out on the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus is why we forgive. Jesus is why we don’t want to hold on to grudges. He is worthy of it all. The price that was paid for us was too great. Holding a grudge doesn’t make us strong, it makes us bitter, forgiving doesn’t make us weak, it sets us free. Life becomes easier when we learn to accept an apology we never got. Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. We should forgive others as quickly as we expect God to forgive us. It is just as necessary to forgive ourselves as it is to forgive others and the principal reason why forgiveness seemed so difficult is because we have neglected to forgive ourselves. 

I come by this morning to let you know forgiveness is a strength not a weakness. Forgiving gives you your well deserved  peace. Free yourself today. Romans 12:19-21 “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“God Is Close To Those Who Trust In Him”

Psalms 34:17-22

Close is defined as to come together; unite; near; convenient; precise.

Emotional pain can be felt in a very real way, in the body, the mind, and the heart. Our bodies are actually wired in such a way that emotional pain affects us physically. This is one reason it’s so vital to get honest with our emotions and pursue healing because it impacts all of who we are and how we live. Our enemy would love to keep us from knowing God’s love deeply and receiving the courage we need to move forward when life is hard. David was in a tight spot. This is what happened when David met the king’s men; “But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. David went to Nob, to Ahimelek the priest. Ahimelek trembled when he met him, and asked, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” David was alone on a mission. David had run out quickly and did not have a weapon. It seems David was fearful when caught without anyone or anything to help him escape. Psalms 34 is full of reassurances of God’s goodness. It’s David speaking the truths he needs to know. God meets David in his fears and provides radiance instead of shame. David was reminding his heart that He was not truly alone. He is literally speaking words of courage to a time where he reacted in fear. God is close to those who trust Him.

I come by this evening to remind you that you’re not alone. It may seem or feel like it but you’re not. God never left your side. God is faithful to His word, He said He would never leave us or forsake us. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to our cry. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“We Don’t Deserve It But God Gives It To Us Daily, The Gift Of Grace”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Grace is defined as the free and unmerited favor of God; mercy; forgiveness; blessings; goodness: love.

Grace is this beautiful gift that God offers to us, someone who have done absolutely nothing to deserve it. It’s nothing we done so great to get such a precious gift of grace. Brand new grace everyday. Our Father is so loving and kind. We all struggle. We all mess up. We all fail. But God tells us that’s not the end of our story. It doesn’t depend on our performance, our goodness, or how many acts of service we’ve done. There is nothing we can do to earn more grace than we’ve already been given. God rains down grace on all mankind. He gave us the beauty and wonders of nature that we see each and every day. He gives us near misses when accidents are heading our way. He often brings us the right thing just in time. And He also gave us an innate conscience to know right from wrong. All these things are common graces, and everyone born on the earth has the benefit of them because God so loved the world. The best grace is that God purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave all our sins. This immeasurable gift was given to us when we believed. We didn’t work for it and we didn’t even deserve it.

I come by this evening to let you know God’s Grace is sufficient and there is nothing we did so good to earn it. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“Renewed Mind”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Renewed is defined as resumed, revived, or reestablished; refreshed; recovered; improved.

It is very easy to become distracted from our purposes. We must renew our spirit ,our hearts and our minds constantly so we can stay focus on the plans of the Lord. The whole purpose of God’s people is to share the name of God. That name is holy. It is set apart from all other names. No other God shares that name. It is a name that renews us like eagles, heals us, and empowers us. We have a God like no other. But sometimes we get distracted and we have to be reminded that our God has a Holy name, a holy heart and so we become a holy nation. Our minds are a battlefield. Adam & Eve fought a battle in the mind. Elijah fought a battle in the mind. Jesus fought a battle in the mind. We must be continually renewing our minds in order that we might find victory in our thoughts. God called a man by the name of Abraham to become the father of a people chosen by God. A people who through them God would bless the whole world. After God’s deliverance of His chosen people God gave them the laws by which God’s people should live. These God called people were to be different, they were to be not only chosen of God but a nation of Priest. A people who would have God as their King, but they did not want to be different they wanted to be like the other nations in the world. They wanted a worldly King, so God told the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul king of Israel. Again because of disobedience Saul rejected the Word from God and God removed Saul and put David as King.

I come by tonight to let you know we must have a renewed mind and trust God in all things. Put God at the center of your life and make Him priority in ALL things. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE

“Running On Empty”

John 15:5

Empty is defined as containing nothing; having none of the usual or appropriate contents; fruitless; ineffective. 

We don’t know what each day holds, but God sees what’s next. He knows what we need and how to equip us for the things ahead. If only we’ll pay attention when the light alerts us. We all need adequate rest, proper nutrition, and appropriate exercise. Illness can take its toll on every part of our bodies, including our brains. Like the woman at the well they go from one object to the next, seeking fullness. Like Solomon they seek satisfaction in alcohol, sex, money, or accomplishments, only to discover it is like trying to grasp the wind. What thirsty people need is the God who quenches their thirst. One way to refuel is through prayer. If your soul is nearing empty, don’t wait. Take time to fuel up and find rest for your soul. Everything in life seems to run out on us. We use up gas in our car and need to go to the gas station. We use up energy through the day and need to sleep at night. We use up calories and need to eat more food. When we’re running empty there are usually clear signs it’s time to fill back up. And the same is true for our soul. Just like our bodies and our cars our souls need to be filled up as well. Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

I come by tonight to let you know you don’t have to run on empty. God is faithful to fill you up. I

encourage you to run to Jesus and let Him fill your soul like no one or nothing else can. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“Waiting”

Isaiah 30:18

Waiting is defined as a period of pause, interval, or delay; postponement. 

Waiting is God’s training ground for strengthening our faith. As we wait, we learn to trust God more. We may not understand the circumstances of our life or why we have to wait, but we can remind ourselves that God, our heavenly Father, is in control and that His plans for us are plans for good. We’re not alone in our waiting. David waited 15 years to be king. Moses waited 40 years to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He fled Egypt and wasn’t called back to lead his people until he was in his 80s. Sarah waited 25 years for her appointed child, Isaac. So long, that she took matters into her own hands and had her husband sleep with her handmaid Hagar to give her a son. Rebekah waited 20 years to give birth to Jacob and Esau. 

I come by tonight to assure you waiting happens to be an unavoidable part of life. It’s one of those things that we all have to do whether we want to or not. Waiting accomplishes a great work in us by helping to bring about spiritual growth and maturity. We must stand firm and wait on the Lord for His perfect timing. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“Our Challenges Produces Change”

James 1:2-4

Challenges is defined as dispute; question; test; confrontation; objection; trial.

Challenges produces change. Challenges are more difficult when they’re imposed on us suddenly or without our approval. Abraham had to experience challenges, the pain associated with change in order to receive the blessings that positive change brought into his life. Abraham had leave his country and go live in a foreign land that he didn't know. The challenges, the pain involved in this change. The fear of living in a different culture, language, traditions. The pain of leaving his relatives, his home, his friends behind for good. The risk of leaving the security of his home for the unknown place God was sending him to. The blessings associated with this change. His name and family would be great. God would give him many descendants. The world would be blessed through him. Mary faced the pain of loneliness (solitude) in her future life because of her special experience. But Mary also saw the blessings attached to this change. She would have favor with God, a special favor not given to another. She would be the mother of a king, the Messiah, the Son of God. Mary changed her mind about what God could and couldn't do and God blessed her in a way no woman has or will be blessed again. Jesus personally asked James and John, and Peter and Matthew, who all changed their lives, their beliefs, their jobs in order to follow Jesus as His Apostles. There are moments in life when a change is necessary or due. 

I come by tonight to encourage and remind you that our challenges produces change. We must rejoice in our suffering, our challenges, knowing God is using it to produce in us what we could not produce in ourselves. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“Examine Your Foundation”

Matthew 7:24-27

Examine is defined as to inspect or scrutinize carefully; check; analyze; test. 

We live in a world that can be confusing, if we allow it, it can cause us to forget who we really are. In order for us to be tested, we must face challenges and difficulties. These can break us, and the surface of our souls may crack and crumble, if our foundations of faith, our testimonies of truth are not deeply embedded within us. Examine your foundation! May sure your foundation is built on the rock. Jesus Christ, said, “He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.” But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. Jesus Christ is the rock upon which we must build our foundation. 

I come by tonight to remind you to examine your foundation and make sure it is firm. Jesus said, “He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.” When we build on a firm foundation of Christ, we can withstand whatever comes our way. Examine your foundation and make sure it’s being built in Christ. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“Stay In Your Lane”

Proverbs 16:9

Lane is defined as a narrow way or passage between hedges, fences, walls, or houses; pathway.

God calls us to stay in our lane. God has put us on the path specifically, intentionally, and purposefully. He has set our pace. He has ordered our steps. Our connection begins with our relationship with God and then continues as we try to find and walk the path He has specifically chosen for us. This is where we learn to connect our passion and our purpose. Walking the path connection means staying in your lane. For most of us, that is easier said and done. How do we even know which lane is ours and how do we stay in it without getting distracted and discouraged by people and places on the journey? As we start down our path, there are others walking ahead, beside, and behind us. Sometimes these people can encourage us on our journey, distract us and make it hard for us to see where we are going. The ultimate goal is to stay in our lane. We are all walking the same path but different lanes. We must keep our eyes fixed and focused on the path God has set for us. 

I come by tonight to let you know we must stay in our lane. Seek to follow God first. Take it one step at a time. Accept the specific plan God has for your life and do not worry about anyone else. Yield to others on the path with grace. In your. Listen to God’s voice as He guides (shut out the other noises and distractions). Ask others for support and encouragement. Navigate the obstacles by staying fixed and focused on your goal. Expect great things as you learn to connect your passion and purpose. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“You Can’t Hide From God”

Psalms 139:1-2

Hide is defined as to conceal from sight; prevent from being seen or discovered; camouflage; mask. 

When we think about God’s presence always being with us, it should not be disturbing or uncomfortable but rather a comfort to us. God knows our habits, our thoughts, our location; our words, our past, present and future, our DNA, our number of days, always thinking of us and He knows we are sinners. God loves us enough to use us to do His will, but sometimes we can be difficult to work with. When God gave Jonah an assignment, Jonah initially refused to comply. The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. Jonah disobeyed not out of fear, but because he was only thinking of himself and what he wanted. After suffering the consequences, he realized his mistake and did what God told him, but there’s a lesson here for all of us. Whether we want to do our own thing, or we’re afraid because the task looks impossible to accomplish, ignoring what we hear God telling us just doesn’t work. Sometimes we forget that nothing is impossible with God. But we should know better than to try and escape the One Who created us.

I come by this morning to let you know God will never walk out on us, even when we’re running the other way. We can’t hide from God. He is all knowing. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“Despite The Challenges In Your Life, God Has Always Been Faithful”

Hebrews 13:5-6

Faithful is defined as true to one's word, promises, vows; loyal; reliable; devoted; dependable; honest.

When we go through hard times, make a mistake, or feel stuck in a flaw or circumstance that won’t change, it can be easy to feel alone. But no matter what we go through, God is faithful. Even when we push Him away, he sticks with us. Even though God never leaves us hanging, we often need reminders that God is faithful. God will hold on to you when the everyone else turn that backs on you. God gives us the strength and love we really desire. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Love never stops loving. Despite our challenges in our life, God has always been faithful. He is not like people.  God’s faithfulness remains consistent and steadfast. Life can be hard, challenging, and seem unfair. When things do not go according to our plans, we become frantic, but God remains faithful. Throughout personal difficulties, God continually provided, strengthened, comforted, and supported His children. Hannah was childless, but God blessed her with a son, Samuel. God provided manna and provision for the Israelites when they were in the wilderness for 40 years.

I come by tonight to remind you, when you feel that life is unfair, remember God is a provider. Your needs are being met. God is faithful to uplift and encourage you. God is a comforter, a promise keeper, burden bearer and a protector. God is faithful when we are not and when life isn’t fair. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

“Walking By Faith And Winning By Favor”

Hebrews 11:6

Favor is defined as something done or granted out of goodwill; approval; help; gift; blessing; admiration. 

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 , favor is coming! Favor produces wealth. We know that God has prophesied that a financial inversion will take place in the earth before the appearing of the Lord Jesus and that the wealth of the sinner has been laid up for the just. God is saying, "I'm about to put favor on you like no one before you has ever walked in." 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. 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. 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. 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.

I come by tonight to let you know we are truly in the season where we are walking by faith and winning by favor. Continue to trust God and believe  greater is here. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE 

Fortitude

John 15:18-19

Fortitude is defined as the strength of character that enables a person to endure pain or adversity with courage.

If we want to see change and if we want to live a victorious life we have to be persistent, courageous, and strong. When I look to Paul, I see a man of virtue. I see a man full of grit who exercised inner strength to win Christ. He writes, “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.” We are also instructed to have fortitude when being disciplined by the Lord. Rather than become bitter and turn away from God when He takes us through fiery trials, we are to endure, develop fortitude, and grow in our faith and character to be more like Christ. Fortitude is not needed on sunny days, it’s needed in the storms of life. We develop fortitude as we walk with Christ, following His commands, refusing to turn to the left or the right and letting His Word be the lamp to our feet and the light to our path

I come by tonight to let you know that sometimes we need to come to the end of our rope before we realize that we’re resting in the palm of God’s hand. We are loved by an almighty God. Be blessed and I love you!!! JE