May the joy of the Lord rise up within you and spill over onto all who come around you! And remember, the Lord’s joy is not dependent on our circumstances! Our joy is not externally driven…but internally driven! Christ in us, the hope of glory! (Colossians 1:27)
I am preparing to begin the second month of preaching as the Lord continues to bring complete healing to the Pastor that I am filling in for. I have to say that as I have been walking through preparation for bringing God’s Word every Sunday – it has given me a new appreciation of the process!
I hope that you continually support your pastor in prayer each week. If not, begin TODAY!
I think the photo below gives an excellent visual of what the preparation looks like. Above the water is what is seen and heard from the pastor on Sunday morning. But, the important part is what is below the surface …the hidden time with the Lord.
Preparation time includes research, reading Scripture, and writing. BUT! The most important time in preparation is the time set apart to be with the Lord…speaking with Him…listening for His guidance.
I love 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 and have based a prayer using that scripture that I have written in front of my Bible. I have prayed this many times before giving a message:
“Lord, may my message and my preaching not be in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that the faith of Your people would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!”
I don’t want to spend time writing a “good sermon” that only involves our emotions and intellect. I don’t want to have people be “impressed” by me…I want to invite people to have an ENCOUNTER with the King of kings and Lord of lords. I desire that the faith of my Brothers and Sisters will be increased and strengthened by that encounter.
Beloved of God, do you have an EXPECTATION of encountering the love and power of God tomorrow morning in your church? Are you preparing your heart and mind and spirit for that to happen?
I would say that the photo below should be what our time with the Lord should look like – whether it’s Bible Study or church or simply our journey with the Lord in life. What is seen above the water is what people see as we go about our daily activities. But, what is below the surface is the life we have that is hidden in Christ Jesus.
Today, I pray for myself and you, dear ones, that there is much undergirding and strength and intimate time with the Lord in our life journey. And as you see from the photo, that which is below the surface is connected to what is seen above the surface. Our daily live’s are directly affected by how much time we spend with the Lord!
I pray that all of those that come into our sphere of influence are impacted by what we bring with us…all of that which is unseen below the surface…the very presence and power of God!! HALLELUJAH!!!❤️💥💥❤️
Well! This post has been transformed to be more than what I planned on it to be. May the Lord speak to you in and through it! AMEN!!
What aroma flows from us as we go about our day?
Yesterday, I forgot to put on one of my earrings after my hair appointment. I did a few errands and later when I realized what I had done was curious what people thought as they looked at me. I did a facebook post that spoke to what had happened and what I had learned from it. It follows:
“The Lord reminds me not to take things that don’t matter too seriously! LOL! One earring…mismatched shoes…clothes inside out…. not that important in the grand scheme of things!😃”
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I let my attention and time be focused on those things that are so unimportant. I am reminded on what “clothing” I should focus on “wearing.”
What is in our “closet?” Are we forgetting to “put on” essential clothing? I know I have been trying to prune and simplify my closet(s) at home. I think I need to do a spiritual pruning!! I need to update and strengthen my spiritual wardrobe. Would you like to join me? The Scriptures below will give us a checklist on what we should focus on “wearing” each day. May we not leave the house without doing the “clothing check” below!!!
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:12-17 NASB1995
*Underlining added by me for emphasis…*
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”“. John 11:25-26
Jesus reminds us that we are to humbly serve and minister to His people. It’s not always possible to physically wash someone else’s feet. I believe Jesus did this not only as a physical example of how to humbly serve others…but I believe He did it as a spiritual example of how we are to humbly position ourselves to serve others. It is a reminder that sometimes in the serving, we have to be willing to do the job that we may feel is “beneath us.” Brothers & Sisters, may we truly have a “servant heart” and serve our Lord Jesus by serving His people. ❤️
“Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 10:40 NASB1995)
Thank You, Jesus! Have you been forgiven & cleansed?
Good morning! Let your “light” shine today (and everyday)!
But, notice that we don’t let ourselves do good works so that we can be noticed and acclaimed…but we do good works so that our Father in heaven will get the glory. It is in and through Him that we are able to do exceedingly well all of the good works that He desires for us to do.
AND He prepared the good works that we are to do before we even do them! So, naturally He should get the glory and recognition.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Shine on, Brothers & Sisters…for the glory of God!! 💥
Dearest ones, have you been rescued by Father God? Have you received redemption in and through Jesus Christ, His Son? Are you living confidently in the kingdom of God knowing the truth of your identity in Christ? If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, are you ready to?
“…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.“
Romans 10:9-10
Reflection of Glory! 