New Wine Skins

 

New Wine Skins

Luke 5:33-36

Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” 34 And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” 36 Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. 

Jesus is calling us to come to Him. The Lord has something that will change our lives forever. His Spirit is full of new mercies and gives us newness of life. Where can we go or turn to find peace, rest, and freedom from all the weariness that have plagued our souls. This new life and peace are found in the Spirit of God. So many still will not come to Jesus, because they are comfortable being miserable with tradition.

The knock at the door is the opportunity that many have been waiting for. We must open the door and invite the Lord into our homes. He brings us good cheer and blessings. If we need healing, we must ask and pray for it. Mark 5:34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Sometimes, the Lord will heal us instantly because of our faith. In this moment, we heard the knock and opened the door. That is our faith being activated to receive something from God. He comes to give us life more abundantly.  

There is more to enjoy in life that will help us to understand that we are being called to a new life that is everlasting. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth who is dwelling within us. He comes to meet us where we are to help us believe in the Word of God. Many may not believe but their heart is in the right posture to receive. That is the move of God when we are not sure of what we believe, and He still wants us to experience this new life. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

The Lord loves everyone of us and have a plan to give us more. We are made in His image and likeness. There is nothing that He doesn’t know about us. This journey called “life” is not our destination. Christ is patiently giving all mankind time to seek the kingdom of God and answer the call to accept and believe in Jesus. There is a final hour when grace will no longer be extended the gates will not open and the door will be shut. The power of God is working on us to live as examples of His testimonies that are also written about the men and women in the Bible.

We are vessels of clay with different hues, shapes, sizes, and depth. Yet, many of us have been broken, bruised, chipped, torn, cracked, and discarded. We don’t feel useful nor valuable let alone attractive in a sense. But news flash we are made in God’s image and likeness. He is the Master Potter and knows perfectly well how to reshape and mold us into something new that will reveal His light and glory in us. We must reject accepting negative thoughts about ourselves and the past hurts. God is in the business of doing new things and creating us new again. Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

The power of God is sovereign through eternity into time and forever. Because God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnibenevolence. He is thinking about us every second and has His eye upon everyone of us. We are called to come to Jesus and ask Him about our identity in Him so that we will stop feeling sorry for ourselves and wasting precious time doing nothing.

Many people turn to organizations, movements, social clubs, gangs, etc. Because they are in search of finding their identity in the world. This becomes their life and everything else in their lives becomes centered around it. They learn how to conform to the mission and vision of the founders of these kind of organizations. Sometimes, it’s hard to leave and start someplace new or move on to other adventures. And yet, inside them they still feel that there’s something more that they should be doing in their lives. No matter how busy we become we will not find internal peace or rest outside of the will of God in our lives. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus is calling us to come away from seeking the applause and attention of men. He wants us to know and experience Him, so that we will be living testimonies of the truth found in the Word of God. We must know by now that external things will not fill us with this new life that Christ speaks about. 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. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

Everyone will not seek the kingdom of God nor accept the call of God on their lives. This is an individual’s choice to choose Christ. He will not force us to decide if we do not speak it out of our mouths. But our answer will be revealed in how we lived our lives before we leave here. So many are called but few are chosen. Again, that number is recorded in heaven and so are those names. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

The Lord is pouring His grace, love, and Holy Spirit upon us, but many are fighting God. They want to go their own way. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman and will not force Himself upon us. As we ponder let us think why does the Lord want us to serve Him and choose His plan? When we feel incline to follow our own way in life, we end up running out of answers and mess up our lives. Many are hurting and living behind so much pain and fear and for others they are serving mammon. Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

God sent His Son, Jesus to die for our sins to save us from eternal death. John 3:16 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. However, we must still come to Jesus and ask Him to be Lord of our lives, so that we will be a part of His spiritual family. 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.”

When we confess that we believe in Christ that is when the door opens for us to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us by transforming us from the old man into the born-again spirit filled man. We are now new wine skins being used for God’s glory. He fills us with an infill of His power and Spirit to be servants and ambassadors in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 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.

Gabriel

 

 Prepare to receive the good news

No matter what you are going through

There is a message on the way

God has an angel on duty

Press toward the mark

Many prayers are heard

 Don’t fret about the journey

The Lord has your back

You will receive His blessings

 Keep the faith when you are weak

His strength is made perfect

The war has been defeated

 Keep asking, seeking and knocking

Changes are taking place in your life

Open your heart and release your spirit

 The Lord above has called Gabriel

You are the one whom He wants to bless

Start rejoicing and proclaim the victory

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”

 

Every Life Matters

 

Every Life Matters

Galatians 3:26-29

 

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Jesus loves every soul who is born. We are made in God’s image and likeness. When He looks at us He doesn’t see the things that we see in the same way. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. There is more to us than what we can see in the mirror or how other people see us. God has placed a light on the inside of us that sets us apart from the world. We are carrying a treasure in these earthen vessels to give God the glory. It is the power of God that we have living on the inside. Our eyes have become open to seeing the light and truth in a dark fallen world. Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

Nobody’s life is a mistake because Christ died for everyone. 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. He knows our names and the number of hairs on our heads. We belong to Christ and His love is everlasting. The Word of the Lord is the good news that we must meditate on daily. It is spirit filled food that will feed our spirit man. The Word is living inside us. The power of God is in His Word.

Many of us need encouragement and inspiration more than others on our faith walk. I’m here to say, “we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.” Paul was like a spiritual father to Timothy. He knew that one day he would no longer be alive to tell him to keep holding on and to remember his up bringing in the faith. The Word was planted in Timothy as a young child. Paul encouraged Timothy to never lose his faith in Christ, because we have been justified by our faith in Christ.  2 Timothy 1:13-14 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Our love for Christ will spur us to action to do good works for God. Some of us are either in Paul’s shoes or Timothy’s and can be a blessing to our fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. The Lord will put who we need in our lives when we pray for His help. Let us be tender hearted and patient with one another. The Word of God is our road map to instruct us in how we should pray, worship, live, give thanks and praise God.

The Holy Spirit is our helper and comforter. We must first turn to Him by acknowledging who He is first. As God, the Holy Spirit is a member in the Godhead. God is one in three persons. Many people refer to saying the “Triune God” to rightfully respect the three in the Godhead. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are co-equal, co-eternal and are one in essence, nature and attributes. They each have a specific work in a believer’s life. 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. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Matthew 3:16-17 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16-17 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. Acts 2:32-33 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

Jesus was teaching His disciples many things as they walked with Him during His ministry. He preached about the kingdom of heaven, while preparing their hearts and minds for His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. They were mortal men the same as us. But they walked with Jesus during His time on earth. Their faith grew as they learned to trust Him. 

Before Jesus ascended He spoke to them 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. John 16:13-15 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

We must continue to trust God and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Those who are new to the messages of Christ must first accept Christ to begin a new life in the kingdom of God. Jesus is calling many to come and drink the living water, so that they may receive new life in Christ. Wherever you may be in life, your circumstances, situation, age, color, culture, or background. Please consider this as an invitation to come to Christ. This moment is not a coincidence nor by happenstance are you here, but this is a right now moment that could change your heart and life to know Jesus as King, a gentle lamb whose love is pure and everlasting. Don’t let your fear or past hold you back any longer. The Lord has placed His Word in all four corners of the earth to proclaim His love and truth for all humanity.

The Holy Spirit moves like the wind as He touches the souls who are crying out to Jesus. He is as close as the air that we breathe. The encounter with the Spirit of God is the evidence of God’s Word. 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.” This birth is spiritual and is the work of the Holy Spirit in a new believer’s life. He is placing the believer into the kingdom of God, so that person’s soul will be accounted for as a member of God’s spiritual eternal family.

As an infant, adult, and senior in our Christian walk the Holy Spirit will be our teacher and helper until the day of redemption. This is the work of God in our lives. He is preparing our souls to live with Him in eternity. We must protect our intimacy and faith in Christ because it is worth more than material riches and wealth that people store up in this fallen world. Therefore, we must abandon those things that causes us to stumble in our faith. Every soul is precious in the sight of Jesus, it doesn’t matter who we are because He died for the murderer, prostitute, worship leader, soccer team captain, the rock climber, so that all would be saved. Now it is up to the listener and reader will you believe in Christ and seek the kingdom of God?

Within

  

When I wake through the night

I hear whispers of words

Inside my soul there is a voice

 I pray to know more

As I rise when the morning comes

My spirit remembers

 The mysteries are unfolding my calling

As it leads my soul to eternal life

Messages on guidance and love

 While my mind is meditating on the truth

I have surrendered to believe that it’s God

For His essence is everlasting

 As I accept my divine purpose and gift

I will open my ears to listen

While my spirit rejoices 

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”

 

Salvation

 

Salvation

Titus 3:5

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 

As we stand at the cross as sheep who are loved, we cry holy, holy to the Lamb of God.  Our hearts adore You, Jesus because You are the Good Shepherd who loved us enough to die for our sins. Our iniquities and sorrows would have destroyed us because we are blind, helpless, weak, and frail sheep. But Your voice is the trumpet that causes our hearts to sing praises to You. Your Word is the lamp and light to our pastures into eternity. John 10:2-5 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Verse 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. Verses 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. 

Our faith is blessed when we trust You. Lord, order our steps back to You when we stray. Sometimes, the road in life is hard for us to know which way to go. The struggles and pain that pierce our souls causes us to scatter and lose our way. The words that we hear in the world sounds enticing because many have accepted the world’s wisdom and knowledge. Therefore, we think that if we follow the world’s way everything will turn out right. Proverbs 14:12-15 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. 15 The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.

The Spirit of the Lord is living within us. We must cry out to the Holy Spirit when we cannot see the next step. As babes in Christ many will wander off the forbidden path. But we must learn who we belong to, so that the thief will not capture us nor lead us away from God’s righteousness. He shows up in ungodly relationships, soul ties, bad counsel, and other doors that are not meant for us to open. Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

Every person that says they are a Christian we must inspect their fruit. There are goats fellowshipping amongst the sheep pretending to be like the sheep that are called. We tend to easily overlook things when we hear certain Christian words. But we still must be sensitive to the voice of the Lord. The Holy Spirit maybe trying to tell us about someone or something. It doesn’t matter if they are of the same household of faith. This is where we must be strong in following the Word of the Lord not men, but the path of righteousness. Some sheep are too lazy to follow orders and are comfortable doing nothing and being in this state is easy for someone to entice them or influence them to listen to another voice. 

Our salvation is settled, and the final arrangements are coming on the Day of the Lord. The scriptures are the living bread that we must build our hope in knowing that Christ is coming back to resurrect His saints. Our faith is alive in Christ. Therefore, we believe with our hearts and faith that our creator knows us by our names. 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.

Time is set for everyman to die and that is an appointment that no one will miss. Therefore, let us get our house in order because there is another home in glory awaiting the saints. This earthly life is fleeting and there is still much to say and do before we close our eyes for the last time. No one wants to talk about leaving here because earth is all that we know from birth. But we must remember these scriptures, Colossians 3:1-4 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 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.

This earthly journey has taught us things that only benefit us in this life. But the Word of the Lord is the living Word and is spirit filled. As we activate our faith, we will be able to witness the power of God moving in us through our circumstances and prayers being answered. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples and demonstrated it to them. Mark 11:20-24 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

We are sealed to the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. The Lord has built a fence around us, so that Satan cannot destroy us. But we must learn to trust the Holy Spirit because He is dwelling within us and helping us to remain on the narrow path. He is instructing us in everything in the natural and spiritual realm. We must listen and humble ourselves and accept that we do not know everything. Only God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit knows everything because they are one the triune God.

We have a living hope that is planted within us. This is the good news of the gospel of Christ. Let us press forward in running our race to the finish line. There is a crown for every soul that believes in Christ. We are partakers in His suffering while here on earth for only a little time. We are children of the light who follow Christ.

Let us love, pray, and encourage one another in the Lord. As we pray to the Father may He richly bless our knowledge and increase our spiritual understanding. The hour is nearer from the first time we believed. Our salvation is a gift of grace from above. We’re not worthy of the gift because of our sins and trespasses against God. We will never be able to boast in ourselves of taking any credit for our salvation and for what God has done through Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice. It is a gift of grace given to us by God. We know now that God first loved us. Therefore, let us be reconciled to God through Christ Jesus in love, hope, peace, and humility. We must love one another and obey His commandments.

My Ship

 

 On the shores of life, I will keep working

As I learn the Word of God

I have my orders to fulfill before I leave

 He will come back one day for me

I cannot quit in the middle of the race

I must prepare as I minister His Word

 No matter how hard the storm rages

I’m determined to swim through it

For Christ is my Lord and Savior

 Now is the appointed time to prepare

The ship will come and set sail

No man knows the day or hour 

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”

Grace, the Blood & His Blessings

 

Grace, the Blood & His Blessings

Titus 3:3-8

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

We have a good blessing that’s promised to those who love the Lord. The gospel is the good news about Christ and God’s gift of salvation. Jesus preached the good news to everyone about the kingdom of heaven. The men and women who heard and witnessed Christ miracles, power, and authority became followers. Many were ready to leave their homes and villages to enter the kingdom of heaven. However, God’s kingdom is not a physical place a building with an address. It is a spiritual kingdom where our Savior dwells.

Our love for God should be seen in how we live and love one another. The Word of the Lord is written to instruct us into righteous living that honors and pleases God. We have the scriptures to follow and meditate on daily. There is no excuse for willful disobedience. If we have an ought against our brother or sister, the Word tells us how to handle it. Mark 11:25-26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. These issues do matter because we must not allow unforgiveness to live in our hearts because it will turn into hate, bitterness and sometimes even kill us. Jesus tells us to forgive everyone because He forgave us of our sins and trespasses. Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

God is love and He demonstrated it by sending His Son to die for our sins. While we eagerly wait for the good hope of glory to come, we must pursue love and the kingdom of God. The living Word is the lamp to guide our steps to Christ. Many of us are babes and some are maturing and others are seasoned saints. Nonetheless, we must abide in the Word to remain connected to the Vine. God has great use for every soul who have put their faith in Christ.

As we declare our faith and learn about our Savior we will grow in our Christian walk. There is more that the Lord wants to reveal in each of us. As we obey the Holy Spirit, He will take us into the deep waters. Many of us will dream dreams that will show us our purpose, future things that will come to pass, or see things that will open our spiritual eyes and understanding.  Joel 2:28-29 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

The Lord is preparing our hearts and minds to receive more than our minds can hold and comprehend. We must get into a posture of humility to receive it. This is His will to keep our hope and minds stayed on Him. This hope is a living hope that will be revealed, and the power of God will bring it to pass in the heavens and earth. Revelation 1:7-8 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The blood of Jesus is our life that flows into our hearts and spirits. He is risen and sits on the right of the throne. The blood of Jesus never loses its power. The blood paid in full our sin debt for the entire world’s sins. He took our punishment which was eternal death. God in His patience and mercies forgave us of our sins by putting His wrath on Jesus who knew no sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Today, we have hope in knowing that we are in Christ. Our lives have been bought with a price which was Christ shed blood. His blood is the atonement and the Blood Covenant that God has blessed and honored. Our worship, praise, and obedience must never stop. Jesus is Lord and King the precious Lamb of God who holds the Lambs Book of Life in His hands.

Truth is in the Word of the Lord. Our history and future are written in the Holy scriptures to reveal the living God of the Holy Scriptures. His breath is living in the scriptures, and we must open the living Word and meditate, eat, and revere our Savior. Many have no clue to how much we need to pour out our praises to Jesus. Because if He had not died on the cross, we would have been cast into eternal hell and separated from God forever.

Let’s ponder about what Christ saved us from; living in total darkness, where there is torment, pain and having no rest or peace being chained to Satan and his demons is certainly not the destination anyone in their right minds would want to end up. Remember, Jesus isn’t coming to hades to rescue anyone who receives that judgement-on-judgement day. So therefore, we must repent and walk in the light and seek the kingdom of God. Revelation 22:10-12 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” 12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

There will be a day of rejoicing there will be a victorious thunder of praise in the heavens above and earth. Everything will be put into divine order according to the scriptures and by the counsel of God’s will. Our new bodies will be our new garments. Philippians 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

If it had not been for the grace of God, our living hope would be futile. But thanks be to God for His riches and glory our hope is alive in Christ Jesus. We shall make His praises glorious as the heavens above sing. Psalm 21:1-3 The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 You have given him his heart’s desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah 3 For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head. Revelation 22:12-13 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

The King of My Soul

  

Where else can I turn?

When I’m unable to predict the outcome

I must believe that there is a King

Mankind is not in control

All creation that exists was spoken into existence

God of the universe creates and destroys

My poor soul was lost without a clue

Once my eyes became open

Words of redemption and salvation came forth

I no longer doubt as I strive to believe

There is a greater power that lives

Therefore, I must fight the forces that hinder

 My spirit seeks His truth

While every need is being met and my soul is renewed

Today I sing and proclaim the good news 

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”

Faith in Christ

 

Faith in Christ

Romans 3:21-26

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Lord, we believe in the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for revealing the mysteries of who You are to the Gentiles as well.  Your Word is light, and we have life because of the Son of God. Our hearts and minds are focused on the scriptures that have given us the grace to believe that by faith we are saved. 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.

Saints, we have the riches of glory bestowed upon our lives. The mercies of God are poured upon us to give us the gift of salvation. The love that Christ shows to us is everlasting. His work was finished at the cross. He gave His life for us to pay our sin debt. The Law could not save us from our sins but keep record of our transgressions and offenses. The end of the Law is death, but faith in Christ is eternal life through grace.

The sacrificial system kept the people bound to the law because the law clearly revealed the power of sin reigning in the flesh of mortal men thus causing men to disobey God’s Law. The law revealed to us our perpetual sins, transgressions, and offenses against God. The law keepers were not merciful, and many were stone to death for their sin. The outward sin of the people was documented, and punishment followed according to the Law. However, the Law only punished men for their outward sins, but not the sins of the heart and evil thoughts in them. So, the religious men who walked around that had no outward offenses felt superior. Yet, they were guilty of sin because we are all guilty according to Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We must understand that God looks at the heart of a man to understand him. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Galatians 3:10-14  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

On our journey, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. He is the Spirit of truth. We understand that He is our helper and is working within us to help change us into the new man. We must submit our will and obey the Holy Spirit. We have indwelling sin that we must confess to the Lord. Our walk in Christ is the path to eternal life. We will never be perfect, but we cannot use it as an excuse to sin, e.g., unforgiveness, disobedience, entertaining impure thoughts, etc. Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Jesus freed us from the Law of sin and death. We must pray to the Holy Spirit to intercede for us to the Father. The Spirit understands the spirit and knows how to help us in our weak flesh. We are alive to Christ and dead to sin when we become born again. But we need the Holy Spirit to help us walk in the Spirit and to teach us the Word of the Lord. Our faith in Christ made us sons and daughters of God. Therefore, let us pray to the Father and thank Him for His Son Jesus and for saving us.

We are still prisoners in these mortal bodies because sin is still in our members. We are at war inside our bodies because sin once ruled over us before we came to Christ. The flesh is the body and sin live inside our bodies and is working against the Spirit. But we must fight our flesh by binding it with the Word of the Lord and resisting the temptations because Christ died to set us free from sins grip. Romans 6:17-18 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 

The Law exposed our sins and made it alive to us. Before the Law men were living in darkness doing evil and living ungodly. Thus, sin was their slave master and had taught men how to use their bodies to worship sin. There was no Law to tell them what they were doing was sinful. But when the handwriting of God was given to Moses to give to the people the Ten Commandments of God, it revealed to them their sins. Then the Law was added to the Ten Commandments. 

The Lord is just and merciful toward us. Therefore, our hearts and minds must be committed to doing His will. The Word of the Lord is the knowledge that we must renew our minds with daily. We cannot know the Father’s will if we do not meditate on the Word. The prince of the power of the air is alive, and he is plotting and planning to deceive the elect. We would’ve still been lost in darkness if God had not given us His Word and Spirit. 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. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 

There are many of God’s people living a double minded life because they have been deceived to believe that they are not saved without works. But scripture alone tells us Ephesians 2:8-9 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. 2 Timothy 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Our sinful nature and flesh cannot save us by doing good works. We must humble ourselves and bind this doctrine “a man is not saved unless he is doing good works for salvation.” We must pray to the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual eyes of understanding to help us rest in knowing that the work of the cross and the blood of Christ was the propitiation for our sins. Ephesians 2:8-9 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 Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Mercy Seat

Now is the time to prepare

Every living soul has received grace

When your earthly life is over there is another step

 You will be judged according to your life

Your tests, trials, and tribulations

The mercy that you showed to others

How you live your life is being recorded

Have you accepted Christ?

Justice and eternal life are His gifts

God’s judgments are fair because He’s divine

The power that dwells from the mercy seat is heaven’s law

Pray, believe, forgive, love, and serve Christ now  

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”

Listen

 

Listen

James 1:19-20

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

 

Whose voice are we listening to? Our answers will be revealed in our fruit based on how we live our lives. The words that we hear and speak are being recorded into our subconscious. Our minds are like a sponge the words that we listen to good and bad, images, feelings, actions, and our memories are stored in our subconscious mind. We carry this information with us for the rest of our lives. We must wake up from thinking narrow minded. As our brains processes things through our five senses and every reaction is recorded as well into our subconscious.

There are so many distractions that compete with our decision to listen to God. We must be intentional to sit and meditate on the scriptures. How many times have we picked up our Bibles to read and five minutes later we’re sleepy or hungry? Or our phones ring, text and email notifications are ringing, or someone around us want or need our attention. There are tons of other distractions these are only a few.

There are times in our lives when we may feel like we’re not understanding the Bible according to the hours and years we’ve been studying the scriptures. The enemy is always waiting for an opportunity to send us negative thoughts to cause confusion in our minds. What is going on? The Word of the Lord says, 2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, Therefore, we must trust that God’s Word is the knowledge that we must grow to understand and follow to know Christ. The devil is a spirit, and he is present in this world as well as in the spirit realm.  Ephesians 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience 2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

We must meditate on the Word of God until it gets down into our subconscious mind. It takes time, repetition to learn a new habit. Some studies say it takes twenty-one days and others thirty days to learn a new habit. No matter how long it takes us to learn and mature in the Word we cannot live without it. Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Many believers are growing weary in hearing God’s voice for themselves. The first step in hearing the Lord is to listen with our heart to what the scriptures are saying about Christ. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. John 1:1-4 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. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:10-14 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Lord is no respecter of men. Romans 3:21-26 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Our hearts must be willing to listen to what the Spirit is speaking to us through the scriptures. Every man must come to Christ and lay bare their heart and soul and pray to God for forgiveness for their sins. We must hear what the Lord is saying to us through our hearts not with our physical heart. Yes, our physical heart is important because it’s our main organ to keep us alive. But our spiritual heart is our inner man the born-again new man that we are growing into a new creation in Christ. 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.

The Word of God is living, and it is the life source that feed our spirit and faith. We must open our Bibles and pray to the Holy Spirit to help us to understand the scriptures. He is our teacher and is living within us. 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. 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. 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. 

We don’t have a lot of time to waste because our lives are fleeting. Our focus should be on Jesus and learning who He is and how He lived on earth. We are becoming more like Him as we grow in His righteousness. Therefore, we must not be deceived in our thinking that we can be friends with the world and still have Christ. James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

The Word of God is the seed that must be planted within us. Our lives will produce the seed of righteousness as we continue to humble ourselves. Remember a tree only bears fruit of the seed it was created to produce. Genesis 1:11-12 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

The Lord is watching over His Word. Jeremiah 1:9-12 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. 10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.”  11 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.” Are we ready to listen to the Spirit of the Lord? We must be ready to wake up at all times of the hour and have pen ready. The Holy Spirit is doing a work in our lives. Those of us who are thirsty and hungry for more of God shall be ready to receive our portion. Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Let us pray for wisdom, discernment and understanding in our hearing, so that we will be led by the Holy Spirit. We cannot afford to be lazy and allow our senses and flesh to guide us in the things of God. Romans 8:5-8 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. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

As we learn to do both be hearer’s and doers of the Word, our faith will produce the work of righteousness. Our spirit man will grow in knowing how to be quick to hear, slow to speak and obedient to the Word and Spirit. God is the incarnation and fulfillment of His Word. 1 John 1:1-4  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The Inner Man

 

 Listen to the Spirit inside

He speaks quietly to your heart

Capturing the silence that’s in the dark

The Word of God is there if you believe

A soul cannot live without its daily bread

Take in what you need to be replenished

The soul is crying out when there is sorrow

Comfort and peace will come if you eat

Having faith will rebuild your strength

Your inner man will flourish and grow

Teaching and guiding you on your journey

God lives within the spirit of love

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”