Good morning Lovelies. Father God, Thank You for Your guidance. Forgive me for getting ahead of Your plans, and help me know when to stop and listen for Your direction. Your ways are perfect, Lord. Today’s a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it any regrets, mistakes, or failures I may have experienced. It’s a good day to be glad and give thanks, and I do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, give, and be all that you want me to be.
Today I want to start the day with You on my mind and in my heart. As I dress, let me wear the armor you’ve provided daily: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, and the sword of the spirit, with prayer on my tongue, praise for You and prayer for those around me and those I meet.
Feed me today with Your daily bread. As the Bread of Life, Your food, like manna, will sustain me throughout any trials and hunger. Help me to set my thoughts on things above and to speak only what will help and encourage others. Keep me from putting my foot in my mouth, and help me guard the affections of my heart today, Lord. Make whatever work I do be marked with excellence rather than perfectionism, as I seek not to make a name, but to make a difference. Help me to treat each person I encounter as You would, with respect and love, forgiving others and asking for forgiveness myself when needed.
As I start this day, help me remember that I belong to You, and my desire is to act accordingly. Keep my feet from stumbling and my mind from wandering into distractions that could steal precious time and energy from the most important things you have designed for me. I’m proud to be Your child, Lord. And I’m so grateful that You died for me, rising again on Your own new morning, so that every day can be filled with the wonder of Your love, the freedom of Your Spirit, and the joy of knowing You.
I know earthly life is short and fleeting, Lord. But I want to live today as if it were the first or the last day of my life, giving thanks for every good and perfect gift You choose to give. Today, and every day, I want to live my life for You, Jesus. In the Mighty, Matchless name of Jesus. Amen!
I am so thankful for the times that God gives me to spend quality time with Him. What I mean by this is to be able to read and study His Word without distractions of time restraints. I love how when I pray, read and meditate on His Word He gives words to encourage you. I never know what my title is going to be most times until I finish typing what He is giving me. To God be the glory. Not sure how most will take this blog this morning but I’m giving what God gave to me.
There is a big difference between reaching people for Christ and teaching people about Christ. I know you’re probably saying that one has nothing to do with the other. This is true to a certain extent. We hear all the time about people that are doing things to reach the lost. Many gospel artists us this word “reach” to describe why they cross their music over and promote themselves. Many leaders, (Pastors, Bishops, singers, etc.,) travel across the country using all kinds of methods to reach the lost. But have you ever noticed that, whenever we use certain methods to reach the lost, they are never really successful? Have you noticed that when we make up things, plans, schemes, if you will, to reach the lost, it never really works? Jesus said, “That God draws the sinner and we teach them.” The Bible never said reach the lost, but it said “go therefore and “teach” all nations.” Where did reach come from? God’s Spirit draws the sinner man unto repentance and unless we are flowing in that, we will only play on their emotions but they won’t change.
Music cannot do it alone! Music cannot win a soul to Christ unless the sinner is drawn by the Spirit. Kirk Franklin once said, “That his attempt to reach the Hip Hop culture by merging gospel and hip hop was unsuccessful!” Christian parties, games, cultures, that try to be like the world, does not draw the world. It only promotes the world! Only God can draw the world. His Word, His Power, His Kingdom is what attracts the sinner, not us being like the sinner.
I have heard Paul quoted “I become all things to all men that I may reach them,” but that’s not what he said. He was talking about being compensated for his work but that he would do it for free if he had to. Basically letting them know that he was not looking to be compensated. He then stated that because he was a Jew he would be as a Jew and obey the law when he ministered to them. Because he was called to preach to the gentiles, he would not share his Jewish customs with them, but he would still observe them. If they were to get in trouble, he would share their burdens and help them out of trouble to win them for Christ sake.
This does not mean that if they were on crack he would use crack to make them feel comfortable. Or, if they were a gangster, he would become a gospel gangster and preach to them in gang signs! Or, if they were a prostitute, he would reach them by preaching in his underwear! God forbid!! We are never to become like the world to reach the world! We must be the answer for the world!! They are the way that they are because of sin and we have to show them change and how to follow God. We must teach the sinner the way, the way is Jesus. Not some plot to show them how you can still do everything you are doing as a sinner, but claim Christ with it! Wake up people. We don’t reach the lost, but we teach the lost. Reaching is not what Jesus taught.
Reaching is not what Paul taught. God’s Spirit does the drawing, and then we are to minister the Word of God to them. If God’s word can’t win them, then they will not be won!
“But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:15-19
Live life, give people hope and share your heart, wisdom, and resources. Never place a period where God says there should be a comma.
As always peace and blessings, be safe. Take advantage of your opportunities but never allow your opportunities to take advantage of you. Remember God loves you and so do I. © 5.3.18
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