Walking Upright

 

Walking Upright

Psalm 119:9-12

9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. 12 Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.

The people who love God will cling to His Word for life’s instructions, as we learn that there is a right and wrong way to live our lives. There are so many people who are persuaded to live opposite of following the scriptures. Life for them is having things their way and on their terms. However, there are consequences when we follow our carnal minds and flesh. The Word tells us what our outcome will be according to how we choose to live our lives.  

When we are sober minded, we are in tune of what is happening around us. Our thoughts are not all over the place with tons of distractions. We can think and make sound decisions that will keep harmony in our lives. As we ponder and reflect on the things that mean the most to us, we can prioritize things.

Our love for God will reflect in our choices that we make pertaining to how we live. We must lean on God for everything and acknowledge Him for who He is. This helps us to put Him first and to be grateful for life. He is our creator and the Creator of the universe. Colossians 1:15-18 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

God’s path opens the doors of opportunities to bless and keep us on the straight and narrow path. There are many roads out there that are leading people astray, in danger and toward destruction. Those of us who love God will keep His commandments. We must continue to study and meditate on the scriptures to grow in our walk with the Lord. He will grant us the wisdom to live right and remain in His will. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

People will say a lot of deceitful words to persuade and mislead others to follow them. We must be discerning of spirits. The action of a man speaks louder than his words because we will know a tree by the fruit it bears. The advice that we listen to must be godly and we still must pray to God before we accept it. We must listen and be slow to speak and pay attention because the Holy Spirit will warn us. He will show us the truth if we take heed to the Spirit. Remember, the Holy Spirit will bring to our memory the Word of the Lord. Stop and listen that is the Spirit speaking.  Proverbs 2:10-14 When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, 11 Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, 13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked;

The Lord loves us and have given us favor to receive His wisdom and knowledge. The enemy is jealous and envious of us because we have found delight in the Lord. Jesus spoke to His disciples in the book of John 10:7-10 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:14-15 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 

Saints, we are the sheep and must be careful to not listen and follow a stranger. However, there are many false prophets who know the Word and they will come to mislead many astray. That is why we must hide the Word in our hearts, so that we will hear the Holy Spirit within us speaking to us. Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Satan is watching us and is plotting to harm us in anyway that he can. We must pray for discernment and discerning of spirits. Because these evil spirits entice people who are carrying hurt, anger, and unforgiveness to do Satan’s work. Yes, the devil is crafty and cunning in ways to temp us, our loved ones and friends to pick fights and arguments. This causes confusion and descension in our lives. We must not be moved by outward circumstances but stand on the Word of the Lord. Psalm 15:2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;

There will be opposition and all kinds of manner of evil that will come against those who walk upright before the Lord. We fear the Lord and trust in His counsel and ways. There is nothing too hard for God. As we contemplate our journey, we must desire to live a clean life. The Lord is with the upright and His mercies are abundant. The scriptures teach us how our ancestors walked with God and how He blessed them. We have found favor with God and His wisdom keeps us in His will. We must never forget all His benefits and testimonies.

The rewards are great, His loving kindness toward us is everlasting. Psalm 100:4-5 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. All the promises of God follow us as we walk with Him. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Therefore, we must hold on to every word that is written for our instructions and do not turn to the left or right. Every morning when we rise our lips must give the Lord praises and thanksgiving, because He woke us up. Exodus 33:17 So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.” His Word and promises are written to inspire mankind to seek Him and to know Him. Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.           

           

Coat of Colors

 

While I wear my shield of armor

I will pray and obey God’s Word

As my Lord and Savior leads

My steps are predestined

I have been chosen to prosper

While I do my Father’s will

On earth and in heaven

I will display the courage

Blessed and highly favored

In my dreams I have seen secrets

Heaven is on my side

When I rise I am protected

I will face life’s challenges

Perseverance and faith will remind me

If I should falter, I must remember

I am walking in the anointing

My soul is covered and dipped

God is my shield and protector

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”

 

The Cross

 

The Cross

Colossians 2:6-15

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

The love of God is within us, no matter where we may go in the world. God sent His Son Jesus to save us. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. There are many of us who have not found rest in Christ, because we’ve been programmed by the world’s philosophies. The world only cares about the world and it’s external things. It doesn’t care about the soul or heart of a person.

Majority of people are looking out for themselves and are only concerned about the things that directly affect them. What kind of car will they drive, how many pairs of shoes do they have, how much money will they earn in their career, what golf course will they golf at, etc. The list is endless when it comes to our self-indulgences.

And yet, there are so many broken souls living behind the excess, privileged, influential and the poor class. Life is passing by us and the hand on the clock is moving swiftly. The people we come across in our paths, if we would pay closer attention to their eyes, we could see more than the physical by discerning the energy that we get from them. Oftentimes, we can feel their sadness, pain, suffering, hurt, and fear.

It is a heavy burden to bear carrying the pain around in life. This kind of life is filled with brokenness, mistrust, agony, fear, and inner anger. Truth is we are not happy, if our soul is full of darkness. The weight and pressure of living can become a vicious cycle and putting on a façade adds even more weight, because it robs us from being transparent. People only see what we want them to see, but inside we are dying to be loved, and have peace and rest. Everything that we need is in Christ.

As we reflect and ponder about our lives, we must be honest about who do we know that loves us unconditionally, if we have nothing to our name? What if we could no longer do for ourselves who could we count on for the rest of our lives? There are not many who would be able to fulfill these shoes. Because realistically human beings are fallible and there is only so much time and love that we have to offer to someone else, because we are mortal beings trying to prove our love. It would be exhausting and unbearable for another person to carry such a responsibility and weight.

Let us ponder on God’s Son Jesus. He is the only one who sacrificed His life for our sins. He did it for us because He loves us. The love that we are looking for in the world will fail us. But God’s love is perfect love. His blood was poured out for many, and He died for the sins of the world. Matthew 26:27-28 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

There is no one who could have bore this cup to take on the sins of the world and love people who are guilty of sin, but Jesus. Christ’s mercies, forgiveness of sins, grace, redemption, and eternal love for us proved that He is the Son of God. The condition of our hearts and minds must change to love God. 1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

There is no human that can do what Christ did for us. The Word of the Lord teach how we must come to Jesus and humble ourselves. John 19:19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Everyone who was there on that day witnessed His death and suffering. Their tears and pain were not in vain, because He rose three days later according to eyewitnesses.

We must pray to our heavenly Father to know His will for our lives. There is more to come according to the scriptures. Jesus is coming back to gather His saints. We know that He is risen. Therefore, now is the time to examine our hearts and repent. There will be a day of judgement for every soul that lived. Every message about the cross is casting light upon the darkness that has blinded the minds and hearts of the wicked.

There is a spiritual war going on between God and Satan. There are two kingdoms: kingdom of God and kingdom of darkness. Jesus is Lord. Christ is risen and our Savior lives. His blood is our covenant, and we are the redeemed saints. The kingdom of darkness where Satan rules is after our souls to kill, to steal and to destroy us. He is the accuser of the brethren and is upset with us because we are God’s beloved. The cross is where our Savior died and where we stand in Christ.

We must cry out to God and pray for His help. We need wisdom, discernment, knowledge and understanding of the scriptures to withstand the warfare and to rebuke the enemy. The gospel is the good news that we must meditate on so that we will not be deceived by religion and its traditions. The written Word of God is the foundation of what we believe, and our faith must be in Christ not in the traditions of men, denominationalism, philosophies, new age and fly by night strange doctrines.

Our faith in Jesus is our anchor to follow the messages of Christ. We must pray to the Holy Spirit to teach us the Word and give Him our praises and thanksgiving. He loves us enough to dwell in our earthen vessels until the day of redemption. We must surrender all and come as we are to Christ. Now is the time to live and turn from our old mindsets that held us bound to chasing material wealth, ungodly living, and soul ties, letting go of ungodly relationships that do not encourage us in the Lord.

Christ defeated the powers of darkness and conquered death. We have inherited the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are reaping His benefits and mercies every day. Now let us pursue His love and righteousness and the things above. Colossians 3:2-4 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

 

Room at the Cross

 

No matter what you have done

There is still time to repent

As long as Jesus is on the throne

He has His arms out stretched

It doesn’t matter where you are

He is there in the spirit

You have a place to go

Talk to God right now

There’s enough grace that’s sufficient

There is no one that knows you better

Come if you will and surrender

Let not your heart be troubled

The Blood that was shed is your visa

God’s kingdom is spiritual with no conditions

When you bow and pray let the tears fall

That’s why He cries when you cry

There is infinite love and mercy

Today will you welcome God inside your heart?

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”

Two Separate Roads

 

Two Separate Roads

 

Matthew 7:13-14

13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

There are two roads in life that are leading people to their destinations. However, there are two separate locations that are predestined for the souls who travel along them. The Word of the Lord is written for mankind to obey and follow as a guide and road map to live by. The souls that take heed to study, meditate, and obey God’s Word will enter the narrow gate. This path will lead them to eternal life. The other road is broad, wide is the gate and it is open wide for those who reject and do not take heed to the Word of the Lord. Their path will be destruction and eternal death.

The way that people live their lives tell their stories about them. Our identity and fruit separate us from one another. There is only one unique you and that’s the way God designed us. Truly no one can steal our identity in Christ. Every man who accepts Jesus and believe that He is the Son of God are accounted for as His sheep. The door has been opened to him. Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 

Jesus is calling us to everlasting life. The Holy Spirit is dwelling within the believers as a promise sent by God. John 15:26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. The regeneration process of the new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

The old man is being stripped of the dirty garments and is being made clean with the washing of the Word. This is a private and intimate journey between the believer and Holy Spirit. His wind blows upon us to breathe new life into our spirit. This is an experience and encounter that only the believer can confirm. However, when the Holy Spirit makes His presence known to the believer there is a change of heart because the living Word and Spirit are alive within us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 

Step by step the Holy Spirit is teaching, helping, and guiding us toward Christ. We must abide in the Word to grow in our understanding of the scriptures and obey. Our love should be pure and our obedience to the Holy Spirit is submitting our will to Him. He is God. Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 1 Corinthians 2:10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

We must pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help us. He sees and knows everything that surrounds us and the journey ahead. There is evil and darkness that hides in the spirit realm that Satan sends to attack us. Our path is laid out for us to do the work of the Lord. Therefore, we must be sober minded and vigilant in our walk and submit to the Father’s will for our lives. The plans that He has for us is leading us toward an abundant life in Christ.  John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

We will leave people and vice versa as we follow the narrow path. When we become born again the Word is alive living within us causing us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. The choices that we make must line up with the Word, so that we will remain in the Lord’s will. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths. Remember, when we meditate on the Word the seeds are being deposited into our new spirit – inner man. These seeds will grow and bear fruit in our lives.

The joy of the Lord will increase in us as we breathe and eat from His living water. We must protect our joy and peace because this is the kingdom of God blessing us with spiritual blessings. It doesn’t matter what is happening around us because the Lord has a fence around us. Every day will not be full of sunshine, so we must get anchored in the Word and protect our faith. Our old life will pass away as we lay hold of the new life in Christ. Philippians 3:12-14   Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The people who enter the wide gate are attracted to the world’s wisdom and trappings. Those who follow the world, and all its philosophies, greed, and pleasures will be destroyed along with their idols. There is a price to pay for rejecting Christ. Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  The wide gate is appealing to the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life to many. It appeals to our five senses that entices us to sin and feed our flesh with ungodly living. Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 

People who are looking for love, hurt, unforgiving, bitter, holding grudges, liars, thieves, etc. are attracted to counterfeits and lying spirits who tell them made up fables who enters the wide gate because many deceiving spirits are calling them. These lost souls are spiritually dead and cannot discern the evil spirits and demons who plot to destroy them.

On the path to destruction there will be many who were given warnings by God. But they did not take heed. There were times when God spared them from car accidents, survived a critical surgery, family members who got saved told them about how God saved them, but were mocked. The Lord spared many of these people by giving them second chances to live and repent. But their unbelieving hearts and minds were blinded by pride, hurt, unforgiveness, rejection, egos and harden hearts.

Dear reader and listener, we have free will to choose which path in life we want to go. Christ spoke to His followers about the narrow gate and the wide gate. The narrow way is not easy, but it leads to everlasting life. The wide gate seems easy because many are entering through it. The soul that enters the wide gate has chosen to gamble with their soul. This path will lead to destruction in eternal darkness separated from the love of God forever. Let us ponder on this message and take heed. Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

 

Turning Point

 

Today I will choose to serve You

The time is now for me to submit

I’ve tried things my way and I’ve failed

 I accept You into my life

I am new with the process please understand

I have no knowledge on how to live

I pray that You have enough mercy

Living on my own has been a strain

I surrender my will to Yours

Being in the fort of the road is confusing

I’m tired of fighting for which way

Dear Lord please guide my soul

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”

 

Be Not Afraid

 

Be Not Afraid

Luke 12:1-5

1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Jesus is Lord and He is risen. The powers of darkness and evil will not prevail against the righteous ones. He gives us the Word to guide our hearts and minds to follow His path. As we pray to God for direction, protection, and provision we must not live in fear. We have the power of God covering us because His blood paid for our sins. 

The power of the blood is the life of God reigning down upon our mortal souls. We must pray, praise, and worship the Lord. His Spirit lives within us. The Word is His breath of life, when we speak the Word, it releases power into the atmosphere and spirit realm. Our lives will be transformed as we grow to believe every word and promise of God. The power of God protects us from our enemies and gives us the victory to win our battles.

In life we will face many storms, trials, and tribulations that will attack us through the spirit of fear. But we must not listen to it, because it will either cripple or paralyze us from reaching the victories and blessings that are on our lives. We are not alone on our journeys because the Holy Spirit is living inside each of us and is our helper. Jesus told the disciples that He would not leave them as orphans. John 14:15-18 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

There is a purpose to why the Lord allowed us to come to earth. We must seek Him to find it. This is our life’s work that will bring God the glory. We must desire to fulfill His will and plans for us. The love that God shows us is more than we could fathom. He died for our sins and took our punishment. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, We are guilty because of our sins, but God showed us mercy and love by sending His Son to die in our place. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

So, we must activate our faith and listen to the Holy Spirit. He is our teacher and help, as we learn to trust God and study His Word. We are not capable of pleasing God in our own strength, understanding and righteousness. We must bow our hearts and knee to the Holy Spirit and pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding to walk in the Spirit. Our lives must bear fruit as we live for Jesus. John 15:5-8 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

There will be times when we may feel like we cannot make it through the hard times. But we must not put our weapons down by surrendering to the fear and terror. Remember, our minds and bodies will speak to our spirit, but we must pray the Word over our circumstances and speak the Word aloud. Psalm 91:3-5 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Saints do not be afraid. Jesus is with us because we belong to Him. If it is not our time to go home to be with the Lord, He will turn it around for us. He already redeemed us with the blood. Ephesians 1:7-10 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches  of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

We must meditate on the living Word of God. This is the good news that we must lay hold of daily knowing that our Savior lives. Our souls have been accounted for before time begin. When we didn’t know that we were lost in darkness, Christ provided grace and the blood to atone for our sins and have given us the gift of salvation by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:4-9  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

Our earthly living has consumed so much of our time to the point, many of us are spiritually malnourished and when the storms come, we are like scattered sheep. Therefore, we must eat from the Word daily to gain the hope that we need to endure till the end of our race. This is the food that we must hunger and thirst for to conquer the spirit of fear, rebuke Satan and bind our flesh.  Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 

Many of us still have no rest in knowing that we have been saved by grace through faith in Christ.  Jesus left us with His written Word, so that we would be able to meditate on the scripture’s day and night.  It is our responsibility to pray for understanding, knowledge, and wisdom to discern the truth. Paul reminds us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. We are not working for our salvation; it is already given to us as a gift of grace. But we must activate our faith by studying, meditating, and applying the Word to our lives. Faith without works is dead. If we say that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He died for our sins, then we must be courageous to live and walk by faith according to the scriptures.

We will learn one step at a time to trust God. As we start to grow in our faith the Word that’s living inside us will bear fruit. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth. The enemy who is our adversary Satan is watching us and desires to kill, steal and destroy our souls. He’s after our faith and the Word that is within us, because we are in Christ.

Christ is risen and has finished the work at the cross. We are redeemed according to the dispensation of grace, His blood and resurrection. God is no longer angry with us for our offenses and transgressions. His Son, Jesus became sin for us and our faith in Christ puts us in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

So, therefore, we must not be afraid nor live in fear because He is faithful, and His Word is eternal. John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. Revelation 19:11-14 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

 

Courage

I pray for peace, health, and safety

But Lord sometimes I’m afraid

The battles are over whelming

I want to be unafraid to stand for You

No matter what the circumstances are

I’m praying for the courage to strive

I want to live free of fear because I’m Yours

In my mind that’s where the struggle starts

Anoint me dear Lord with Your Blood

Remove all my inabilities to go forth

I want to represent You in all that I do

I want the courage to speak boldly for You

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”

The Shaking

 

The Shaking

Hebrews 12:25-29

25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

The Lord is forewarning us of the day that will come. The heavens, earth and seas will no longer remain. These things will be shaken and destroyed by God and will no longer be seen. God has spoken and he who has an ear let him listen. This word is for those who are awakened who fear the Lord. Matthew 24:35-39 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 

The Word of the Lord is living and powerful. When we study the scriptures with a humble heart and give reverence to the Lord, the Holy Spirit sees that our hearts are ready to receive. Our prayers and cries must be before Him daily. He knows us and is calling us individually. We must surrender to the Father’s will and come to Jesus. The Spirit of the Lord is searching for those whose hearts and minds are seeking those things above which cannot be shaken. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The Lord spoke to the prophets of old to warn the people to not get comfortable with this life. Because He has prepared a new city and home for His people who love Him. The children of Israel were pilgrims until God gave them rest in the Promised Land. Joshua 21:43-45 So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. 44 The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. 45 Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

As we read and study the scriptures, we learn that God is faithful. He keeps His promises. His Word is proof of why we must put our hope and faith in Him. Even though we may feel as if God does not love us at times. That is why we must learn what is written in the Word for ourselves. His Word tells us that we are all God’s children according to the promise that He made to Abraham. Galatians 3:16-17 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 

God loved us before we were born into this world. 1 John 4:9-10 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. His love cannot be shaken. Our faith in Jesus puts us in Christ. Every promise in Christ unites us with Him. We are bought with the blood of Jesus and His covenant is eternal. Matthew 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 

The Lord sent His Son, Jesus to save us from eternal death. We cannot save ourselves from God’s wrath. Therefore, we must submit our will and accept His will and truth. The Word must be in us because it is the spiritual food that we need to abide in Christ. The cares of this life are temporary and are passing away. But the Word of the Lord is everlasting. Isaiah 40:6-8 The voice said, “Cry out!” And he said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

 

God created the world, and He rules it. Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. When Adam sinned death entered the world. There are laws, statues, and commandments that God established for man to obey Him. The first man Adam fell by disobeying God’s command to not eat the fruit from the forbidden Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God’s laws have consequences when we disobey. Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

 

Our history and future is written in the Word of God. We must grow to love and trust God. There are going to be future events that have been prophesized. No man will be able to thwart these events to come. Therefore, we must lay hold of the scriptures that speak to our spirit and find comfort in knowing that Christ is our redeemer, and we are His children. Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

 

The Lord is preparing an eternal home for those who believe and put their faith in Jesus. Nothing can separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. So no matter what earth quakes, storms, trials, tests and tribulations we will face God will keep and deliver us.  Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

 

Sometimes, we will have hard days and the wind will blow, but we must hold on to the Word and be not moved. As the Word tells us Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. This let’s us know that the power of God is in His Word. Therefore, we must stand on the Word because He spoke it.

Saints, our salvation is in Christ, and He said, “it is finished.” John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. He has already done the work to save us. Let us rejoice in knowing our Savior lives. Behold the Lamb of God sits on the right of the throne of God. The time is drawing nearer for the scriptures to be fulfilled before the closing of the Lambs Book of Life. Revelation 22:6, Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. (verse 10) 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. (verse 14) Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. (verses 16-17) “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 21:1-4 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” These are the things above that Christ has revealed to the prophets, disciples, and saints. Our minds and hearts must not grow weary because there is a Day coming for those who love God.

 

 

The Day

 

As an apple ripens to the core

Life resembles a long narrow road

Yet nature continues to bloom

Life has seasons that behold the evitable

Think it not strange that heaven chose you

Every tear, laughter and dream are predestined

Peace is knowing that freedom has come

All crooked paths are made straight

Miracles and breakthroughs are answered prayers

As we face the journey to a new beginning

Praise and joy are bind together

Overflow is the manifestation of being chosen

Life is a foreign place that exists among the living

The wealth of wisdom now rests upon the faithful

Day after day God’s grace is everlasting

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”

Don't Miss It

 

Don’t Miss It

John 5:36-40

36 But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

We only have one life to live. There is meaning and purpose to why we were chosen to come to earth. There is a great work that God has predestined for our lives. Every soul has been given a gift and purpose to serve God by serving others through their purpose. This work is the evidence of what the scripture tells us. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Every step in our lives has already been ordered. Before the foundation of the earth, it was decided by God how He would uniquely create us i.e., color of skin, height, language, abilities, talent, and gifts to give us. The environment that we would grow up in, our family, trials, tests, and tribulations as well as the number of days of life. While we’re here living life through our five senses, body, and soul that’s as far as we can see or think about life. The Bible is the infallible Word of God to help us to seek God first to find our life purpose.

During every phase of life, we will have experiences, either good or bad that will cause us to learn, grow, become enlightened or remain in a repeated cycle. We are following a path that has already been laid out for us. Ephesians 1:4-6 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. The Lord is working in our lives behind the scenes because He chose to save us before He made the earth. It’s hard to perceive it, but this is what the Word declares and has established every one of our steps.

The world’s knowledge is designed to put us into a manmade power structure that enslaves us to work on a pulley wheel that is meant to program our minds to accept the core vision and mission of the suits at the top. Thus, keeping us enslaved to Pharoah as the Hebrews who were enslaved to Pharoah in Egypt. However, Christ came to set us free from the chains, shackles, religion, rituals and false doctrines and traditions of men.

Every season of life, our pain, suffering, setbacks are designed to build our character and to introduce us to ourselves. The ups and downs will come and go just like the rainy and sunny days. The journey is real and intense. The Lord is shaking loose a lot of things, i.e., habits, traits, people, and relationships. Sometimes, He will send people to us to speak into our lives about our future. These people seem to appear when we’re at our worst because that is when our hearts are willing to listen.

When Jesus walked among the men in the earth the religious men gave Him resistance and were against Him. They were the Pharisee’s, Sadducees and Scribes who were the religious groups. The Pharisee’s knew the law of Moses and were filled with pride because they were the law keepers. They had fame and the common people were afraid of the religious groups because they had the power to stone people to death.

However, the men were jealous of Jesus’ ministry because He knew the Mosaic law, did miracles, taught parables, raised the dead and healed the sick among the masses. And yet, they were not humble but were furious and enraged of the fear that grew in their hearts about Jesus becoming famous. Because the people who we’re following Him were drawn to His messages and believed that He was the Son of God. 

We must be careful to not fall into this religious mind set. By allowing religion to shape our minds and hearts to believe only the doctrines of men taught by mortal men to be the knowledge, and foundation of God’s Word over the written Word of the Lord. This kind of religion will cause pride to grow in us and keep us blind and bound by the traditions of men. In other words, we’re going back under the law by trying to be perfect through our works. While we’re pretending to be religious because pride is deceitful.  

We have the Word of the Lord to study for ourselves. Jesus taught the disciples who followed Him. Before He ascended, He spoke to His disciples these words. John 15:26-27 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us. 1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

As we read and study God’s Word, we must trust the Holy Spirit. He will teach us the truth in all things, and we will not be led astray. It is easy for men to lead others astray when they are blind themselves.  As we grow to understand that there is a purpose and calling on our lives, we will believe it’s personal. Yes, Jesus died for everyone’s sin. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He is calling all to repentance, so that we will inherit eternal life. The scriptures are the good news of the gospel of Christ. We will confess that we believe in Jesus. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Many people will not experience knowing God intimately, if they do not open the Bible in their time alone and pray to the Father. The new birth is personal and is our invitation to enter the kingdom of God. It is a private experience between the person who accepts Christ. The power of God is in His Word, and He commands us to seek Him. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

We must not allow anything to sabotage our liberty in living our lives for Christ. We have the written Word, the Holy Spirit and freedom to obey, worship and follow Christ. The Spirit of the Lord is the Spirit of truth. We must abide in the Word of the Lord and remain anchored, so that we don’t miss hearing the call, the new birth and entering the narrow road that leads to everlasting life. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

 

Father

 

When I bow my head to pray

May Your love and power rest upon me

My mind is consumed with images

I want to succeed dear Lord

I know that I cannot do it alone

Grant Your will and blessings

I am mindful of Your mercies

The closer I get please reveal

Only You know the outcome ahead

I don’t know how to soar

Breathe Your breath of life

As You draw near

There are things that I must do

 As I complete my steps on earth

I pray to see Your glory

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”