"The Heart of the Cross"

18) The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19) As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”[a] 20) So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21) Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22) It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23) So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24) But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles,[b] Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25) This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 26) Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy[c] when God called you. 27) Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28) God chose things despised by the world,[d] things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29) As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
30) God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 31) Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”[e]  1Cor. 1: 18 - 31 (NLT)

Consider how illogical Jesus’ crucifixion looked to first-century observers. The Romans, who were concerned with power, probably wondered how a mighty God could allow enemies to kill Him. The Greeks valued wisdom and no doubt thought, There must surely have been a better way than the cross! And the Jews, who longed for victory over oppressors, probably felt bewildered to see Jesus humbly let Himself be brutally killed.  Yet, what seemed foolish was actually a brilliant plan. Through the cross, the Lord powerfully revealed His character.

First, we see His unconditional love in dying for those who sinned against Him (John 3:16). Second, His righteousness is apparent—only the perfect sacrifice of His own blood could satisfy the penalty for sin. Third, He shows His faithfulness by redeeming us at so great a cost. And fourth, Jesus demonstrates power by conquering sin and death.

In addition to all this, the cross exposed and disarmed Satan (Col. 2:15), who no longer has authority over Christians. Though he can tempt and try followers of Christ, the Holy Spirit is there to strengthen and guide believers to victory.

One last benefit of God’s remarkable plan is that we are eternally secure because of the price Jesus paid. That gives us hope and confidence about our future.

Though the cross seems absurd to those who don’t understand, God’s children know it is the Father’s wise design. We have assurance for today and security for tomorrow only because of this amazing event that occurred over 2000 years ago. We have no need to fear, but every reason to hope.
 
BE BLESSED!
 
DAWN

"Jesus: To Believe or Not to Believe"

13) When Jesus and his disciples were near the town of Caesarea Philippi, he asked them, "What do people say about the Son of Man?" 14) The disciples answered, "Some people say you are John the Baptist or maybe Elijah [a] or Jeremiah or some other prophet." 15) Then Jesus asked them, "But who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter spoke up, "You are the Messiah (Christ), the Son of the living God." 17) Jesus told him:  " Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed! You didn't discover this on your own. It was shown to you by my Father in heaven. 18) So I will call you Peter, which means "a rock." On this rock I will build my church, and death itself will not have any power over it. 19) I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and God in heaven will allow whatever you allow on earth. But he will not allow anything that you don't allow.
20) Jesus told his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah (Christ).  Matthew 16:13-20 (CEV)

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:15-16). The Lord asks us the same question, though not with audible words. Let’s check Scripture for answers.

First, Jesus is God the Son—a member of the Trinity. After Christ’s baptism, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father Himself announced, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matt. 3:17).

Next, Christ is the Savior of mankind. When Adam and Eve chose to sin against Jehovah, there was a separation between God and man. In Old Testament times, an animal sacrifice was necessary to atone for the wrong in one’s life. But that was a temporary solution, until Jesus—the perfect sacrifice—atoned once for all sin. He was the only One who could satisfy God’s requirement for a Savior, because He had no sin (2 Cor. 5:21).

Finally, He is our High Priest (Heb. 4:15; 7:26). In Old Testament times, a mediator—often a temple priest—interceded between God and man, offering an animal’s blood as atonement for sin. Jesus’ death and resurrection took away the need for such sacrifice. Christ now stands as our intercessor, the bridge between Holy God and sinful man.

Who do you believe Jesus is? These characteristics of Christ are taken directly from the Bible. Do they align with your understanding? Check your view of Him against the standard of Scripture. Then ask the Lord to reveal Himself so that you can know Him accurately and personally.
 
BE BLESSED!
 
DAWN

"The Priority of Prayer"

35Very early the next morning, Jesus got up and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. 36Simon and the others started looking for him. 37And when they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for you!"  Mark 1: 35-37

Our Father does not consider prayer an optional part of the Christian life. The Bible tells us that two-way communication with God is essential.

The discipline of prayer includes . . .

An expectant attitude. We must believe that God has something important to say to us. It could be a strengthening reminder of His love, insight into our situation, or the answer to a petition. With such an outlook, we’ll be listening more than we are speaking.

A focus on our heavenly Father. When we praise the Lord, our minds will let go of worldly things and center on Him. Thinking of His perfect character and sacrifice at the cross readies us to hear from Him and obey.

I) A willingness to see ourselves the way that God does. The Holy Spirit works in us to produce Christlikeness. That means uncovering what is unholy and replacing it with righteousness. It also includes recognizing when we demonstrate godly character (Gal. 5:22-23).

II) A surrender to His leadership. When we submit to Him as Lord, our petitions will be more in line with His will.
III)  A regular “appointment.” Developing a strong faith-life takes commitment. Daily activities will crowd out time with the Lord unless we set a time and place to pray.

Everywhere Jesus traveled, the multitudes approached Him with their needs. Even though there were many people to help, our Savior regularly took time to pray. He’d step away from the demands of the crowd to interact with His Father (Mark 6:45-46). Won’t you give prayer that same priority?
 
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

"Caution: Mind at Work"

The grace of God does not abound that we may sin the more. (Rom. 6:1-3)  In the end, the love and mercy of God doesn't exempt us from the justice of God.  Let's take advantage of the "do over" and get it right.
Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'" John 8:11 (NIV)


Devotion:


"Hey! I want a do-over!" she screamed. The sun was clearly blinding her as she struck the volleyball with her fist to serve. She didn't see the serve fly straight into the hands of the opposing team. It was interesting to watch the reaction of her teammates. Some agreed to offer her grace, others muttered, "Tough stuff! Too bad!" Middle school volleyball resembles a story that Jesus lived.


In the middle of an ordinary teaching day Jesus shared a revealing truth about our Savior. The Pharisees interrupted His lesson by dragging in front of the crowd a woman who had been caught in adultery.


This woman had obvious, visible sin in her life. She was caught red-handed. It was easy for the lawgivers to snatch this life and display it before the crowd. They had their motives for bursting onto the scene, but Jesus flipped their intentions upside down.


When these puffed up leaders asked Jesus if this woman should be stoned, "Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger" (vs. 6b, NIV).


Did you catch His reaction to the confrontation? Silence. His mind was at work, but His mouth was not. We learn from scripture that Jesus asked His Father in heaven about every decision before moving forward. Why would this situation be any different?

We've probably all heard that pausing to count to ten before getting angry can diffuse an argument, but I want to park here a minute to see what Jesus did.

Jesus' agenda had just been altered by a bunch of self-righteous leaders. He was preparing to teach truth, and now He had the opportunity to live it. Instead of a quick response He hit the pause button while the Pharisees continued the barrage. Jesus was in no rush to respond.

As He bent down, imagine Him offering up prayers. He saw that broken woman, He heard that accusing crowd, and yet His focus was on truth. The verse tells us He didn't just stand up, He straightened up. Jesus knew about body language before it was hip to study it. The power of this visual communication meant that He was about to say something that would pierce their hearts.

Many scholars have guessed Jesus was writing on the ground all of the sins of each of the accusers there. His words, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (vs. 7, NIV), must have been the first glimpse of light this woman had seen in a long time. Finally, someone saw value in her beyond the bedroom.

Can you imagine the flood of emotions filling her at that moment? She witnessed hope in the middle of her circumstance. Jesus then straightened up to speak to her. He declared that He did not condemn her but she must leave her life of sin. She was given a do-over!

Have you ever wished for a do-over in life? I have. I've been that woman who had no hope. I'm a witness: Jesus is the master of second chances. Throughout the Bible He not only raised the physically dead, He resurrected the spiritually and emotionally dead as well.


Romans 3:10 tells us, "There is no one righteous, not even one" (NIV). Jesus wants you to see that you are not alone. If you look around and think that everyone else has it all together, this story is for you. No one is righteous, not even one! Everyone has their sins, some are just more visible than others. But Jesus knows your heart. He knows your struggles. He sees what plagues your life.

Where are you in this story? Are you the adulterous woman looking for hope? Are you the leader looking to condemn? Are you part of the crowd standing silently in the background? There was only One in this story without sin and He offered grace.

Jesus gave us the perfect example of how to live the truth. Quietly seek the Father's guidance. Think before we speak. Then straighten up and live redeemed.  He has come to give you a second chance; a do-over. Will you listen to His voice?

Dear Jesus, I need a do-over in my life! My sin may

be hidden from others, but it is so obvious to You.

I'm listening to Your Voice. Will You cleanse me

and teach me to straighten up and live redeemed?

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:

Kneel down in prayer and ask God to forgive every sin in your life. As you stand, straighten up to experience the symbolism of the new redeemed life you are about to live!


Reflections:

1)What sin is hiding in my heart?
2)Do I offer grace to others?

Am I willing to listen to His Voice and live redeemed?

Power Verses:

John 1:16 "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." (NIV)
Psalm 71:23 "My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you- I, whom you have redeemed." (NIV)



BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

"Temptation's Timing"

"Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit,

returned from the Jordan River. He

was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,

where he was tempted by the devil for

forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that

time and became very hungry. "

 — Luke 4:1–2

In a broad sense, we are faced with temptation all the time. But temptation often comes after times of great blessing. Temptation came for Jesus right after His baptism in the Jordan River, where the Father spoke and the Holy Spirit came upon Him in the form of a dove. But immediately after the dove came the devil (see Luke 3:21–4:1).

In the same way, it is often after we have been blessed that the enemy strikes. What was waiting for Jesus after His time on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah (see Matthew 17:1–21)? A demon-possessed child. That is how it so often is. After the blessing comes the attack.

Temptation also will come when you think you are the strongest. You might think, I could fall potentially in area A, B, and C, but I would never fall in this area. Don't think things like that, because you don't really know what you would do. You don't know your sinful nature. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?"


It was Simon Peter's boasting of his great devotion to the Lord that led to his fall. When Jesus predicted His betrayal, Peter used it as an opportunity to say, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be" (Mark 14:29 NKJ). So Jesus effectively said, "Since you brought it up, Rock, before the rooster has crowed twice you will deny three times that you ever knew Me." It was Peter's arrogance that opened up the vulnerability that ultimately led to his fall.

Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall." Are there areas in your life in which you are feeling prideful? Be careful.
 
BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

"DEVOTIONAL FRENEMIES"

Frenemies

"And then he added, "It is what comes from inside that

defiles you. For from within, out of a person's heart,

come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,

adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires,

envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile

 things come from within; they are what defile you."

— Mark 7:20–23

Three enemies that we contend with as Christians are the world, the flesh, and the devil. The world with its allure is the external foe. The flesh with its evil desires is the internal foe. And the devil with his enticements is the infernal foe. These are what we deal with on a daily basis.

The problem is that we become frenemies with the world. A frenemy is someone whom you normally don't get along with, but if it serves both of your purposes, you temporarily become friends. Or, it might be a love-hate relationship: You are on. You are off. You are on. You are off. Then again, it might be a description of a relationship that is poisonous, and whenever you are around that person, it drags you down spiritually. Thus, he or she becomes a frenemy.

Some of us have become frenemies with the world. When the Bible speaks of the world, it doesn't mean the planet Earth. It is speaking of a pervasive philosophy that infects everything, everywhere. We are told in 1 John 2:16, "For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world."

The world is enticing. But for its pull to work, we must desire what it is offering. Jesus said, "It is what comes from inside that defiles you" (Mark 7:20). Why do we do the stupid stuff that we do? It is just our nature—our human, sinful nature. We have to be aware of the combustible, evil, sinful nature that is inside every one of us. The answer is not within; the problem is within. So when we give in to temptation, we have ourselves to thank.
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

" The Trustworthy Character of God"

21Because of Your promise and as Your own heart dictates, You have done all these astounding things to make Your servant know and understand. 22Therefore You are great, O Lord God; for none is like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all [You have made] our ears to hear. 2Sam. 7:21-22 (AMP)

Whom do you trust? These days, it’s not easy to find many people who are true to their word. At some point, we all learn the hard way that anyone other than almighty God can disappoint us. Let’s look at the Lord’s character to discover why He can be trusted.

First: He is the one true God. Back in Old Testament times, it was common for people to actually carve and worship a false god. Today, it is more typical to idolize something unseen, such as wealth, power, fame, or relationships. These can consume our passion, money, and time—and in the end leave us fruitless and empty. Jehovah, on the other hand, is alive and real, ready to be intimately involved in our lives.

Second: God is truth, and He is always faithful (John 14:6; 1 Cor. 10:13). Unlike sinful man, the Lord is trustworthy—and everything that He says will happen comes to pass. Our sovereign God has all power and is in control of every situation.

Third: Christ loves us unconditionally. How can we ever doubt His love when He willingly gave His life in our place? And His love is based not on our behavior or status, but rather on His character alone.

Fourth: the heavenly Father is unchanging. All of the above are timeless attributes that will forever be true.

God can be trusted. So don’t give Him just the easy concerns; rely upon your Creator for everything. He desires a personal relationship with His beloved and is able to guide each believer through life victoriously. In a changing, suspicious world, you have a Friend who is 100 percent reliable.
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

" A God We Can Trust"

1 Don't be upset because of evil people. Don't be jealous of those who do wrong, 2 because like the grass, they will soon dry up.  Like green plants, they will soon die away. 3 Trust the Lord and do good.
Live in the land and feed on truth.  4 Enjoy serving the Lord,  and he will give you what you want. 5 Depend on the Lord;  Trust him, and he will take care of you.  6 Then your goodness will shine like the sun,
and your fairness like the noonday sun.  7 Wait and trust the Lord. Don't be upset when others get rich
or when someone else's plans succeed.  8 Don't get angry.   Don't be upset; it only leads to trouble.
9 Evil people will be sent away,  but those who trust the Lord will inherit the land.  Psalm 37:1-9 (NCV)

Throughout Scripture, we are admonished to trust in the Lord. When times are good, this doesn’t seem like a difficult task. However, when trials arise, it is much more difficult to rely fully upon Him.  Yet it is always important for us to place our trust in the living God, especially when everything around us seems to be falling apart. That may well have been the situation that inspired the writing of Psalm 37.

Notice that in today’s passage, the psalmist mentions several times that we should not fret (vv. 1, 7, 8). Distress over a situation is the opposite of trust, and fretting has ill effects. For one thing, it can take a toll on physical and emotional wellbeing. Another problem is that feeding worry can lead to evildoing: by attempting to manage the situation quickly in our human way, we may miss God’s best solution. A third consequence is that others may not enjoy our company, so we could lose our effective witness for the kingdom.

What, then, is the antidote for worry and stress during a difficult time? Absolute trust in Christ. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” This means we are to lay all our burdens at His feet, believing that He is good, loving, and in control.

When trials arise, do you run toward the Lord? Or do you try to handle things yourself? He who created you can handle any difficulty and pain, even when it seems overwhelming. What He desires is your surrender and trust. It is in His arms that you will find rest for your soul.
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

"An Unraveled Life"

Second Samuel 11:1-4 records, incredibly, that while everyone else was out at battle and David stayed home, he saw Bathsheba. Verses 2-4 say, "He saw from the roof a woman bathing.... [He] sent and inquired about the woman.... [He] sent messengers and took her." You're like, "Who can do that?" The king can do that! And nobody contradicted him! That is until God began to use his friend Nathan and his son Absalom to absolutely crush David. Consequences began to unravel David's life.


As the next several years unfolded, Absalom murdered his brother Amnon because he raped his sister, Tamar. David did nothing about it. He lost Absalom's respect because he was so passive late in life. Absalom led a revolt against his father. He was trying to take over the kingdom. David's authority and power had blinded him to his own sin.

The word guilt in today's verse means literally to bend, to twist, to distort, to warp, to pervert, or to ruin. The word means sin. David in effect said, "For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my bent-ness; pardon my twistedness, God. Pardon my distorted, warped, perverted way of thinking, God. Pardon my ruin, what I've done with myself." It's an incredible statement of personal admission. David's prayer flowed from humility born of adversity. "I'm wrong, God! My actions are wrong! My words are wrong! My motives are wrong! I am wrong!"

THINK ABOUT THIS:

When was the last time you were undone? When was the last time your life was unraveled by your own shortcomings? How quickly we are worked up about the shortcomings of others. When was the last time you were taken apart by yourself? Not by what your spouse needs to learn. Not by what your mom’s doing wrong. Not by the shortcomings of the leaders in your church or where you work, but by yourself. That's the moment that God’s trying to bring about. That's where all this is headed. Not that you should observe the shortcomings of others, but that you should have a better understanding of yourself and where you're failing. That's what God is always going for in your life.
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

"Running the Race of Life"

One thing that we need to remember as Christians is that we are running a spiritual race.


In Acts 20, we find the apostle's Paul's words to the leaders of the church in Ephesus. These were things that really mattered to the great apostle.   He writes in verse 24, "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord."

Paul used the analogy of a runner in a race many times in his writings. Each of these instances remind us of a different aspect of running the race of life.


We must run to win

1 Corinthians 9:24 says, "Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize."

In other words, you also must run in such a way that you will win! There is no point in running for second or third place. Go for the gold! Don't settle for mediocrity as a follower of Jesus.

Understand, however, that your "opponents" are not fellow Christians. I am not running the race of life to beat you or anyone else. Our competitors are the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Be careful to not get off track


Galatians 5:7 says, "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?"


Sometimes, due to poor choices in friends and companions, we get "off track." They tend to drag us away from our commitment, instead of encouraging us in it. At the very least, they slow us down. At worst, they sidetrack us.


Don't look back


The best thing for us to do as believers is to keep moving forward in our faith, and don't let the past or Satan's reminders of our past trip us up.


Philippians 3:13-16 reads, "Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it"
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

"FORWARD BY FAITH"

The Call of Abram


1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”  4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. 5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.  7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.[a]” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshiped the Lord. 9 Then Abram continued traveling south by stages toward the Negev.

Abram and Sarai in Egypt

10 At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner. 11 As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ 13 So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”  14 And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone spoke of Sarai’s beauty. 15 When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace. 16 Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.  17 But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. “What have you done to me?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!” 20 Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions.


Gen 12: 1-20 (NLT)

Faith can be lulled to sleep when we are focused on our own comfort rather than God’s plan. Abraham did not fall into this trap. He traded the familiar for the unknown and received many blessings.

Living by faith is the right answer when God calls you to move forward. His call can come to us at any age and in any situation. Abraham was 75 when he began his journey. David was a shepherd boy when he was anointed to be king (1 Sam. 16:11-13). Paul encountered the Lord on his way to arrest Jewish believers in Damascus. After his conversion, he became the Lord’s representative to the Gentiles (Acts 9:1-6). Our call may not be so dramatic, but it will always involve moving forward by faith.

Following the Lord will also include times of testing. Abraham, like all of us, had some successes and some failures. The initial call to leave his country was met with strong belief and immediate action. As a result, he received a promise of great blessing for him and his descendants. But encountering famine brought a different response—a sojourn to Egypt, deception about his relationship with Sarah, and chastisement from Pharaoh. Our response to God’s commands really matters. We can bring blessing or heartache through our actions.

Obeying God can be uncomfortable. Those close to us may question our motives or disagree with our decisions. And we ourselves may not want to do what He asks. But faith will keep us moving forward in obedience. It helps us stay the course and experience the blessings found in a relationship with Christ.
 
 
 
**BY PASTOR CHARLES STANLEY**
BE BLESSED!!!
DAWN

"Muscular Faith"

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord,

 if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down

out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

— Matthew 14:28–29

Peter is often cited as an example of what not to do and what not to say. But let's give him credit where credit is due. In Matthew 14, when Jesus sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee and a great storm came, they began to panic and despair. Then, just as dawn was beginning to break, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. But when they saw Him, they thought He was a ghost. So Jesus said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid" (verse 27).


Then Peter said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water" (verse 28). Jesus told him to come, and then Peter got out of the boat and began walking on the water to go to Jesus. This is what we would describe as muscular faith, believing faith. Jesus told Peter to come to Him, but it took faith on Peter's part to do it. Faith is the refusal to panic. Faith has no safety net. This was Peter and Jesus, and he was going for it. These were rough seas, and Peter did the impossible. He waited for a command from Christ, and looking at Jesus, he defied the odds and walked on water. No one had done this before—or has done it since.


We are to build our faith on what the Word of God says. We don't just step out and say, "By faith, I want this. By faith, I demand that." Instead we ask, "What does the Scripture teach? What should I be praying for? What should I be asking for?" And then we pray accordingly. That is what Peter did. And as long as he had his eyes on Jesus, he was able to do the impossible.

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER1
 
DAWN

"Building Faith"

"For I say, through the grace given to me, to

everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has

dealt to each one a measure of faith."

— Romans 12:3

A lot of people talk about their faith. They sing about faith. They even analyze the word "faith." But they never actually use their faith.

Faith is the consent of the will to the assent of the understanding. Faith always has in it the idea of action. It is movement toward its object. Faith is a restless, living thing. It cannot be inoperative. Faith moves. Faith acts. Faith does. It doesn't just sit; it has to move.  And faith develops by listening to, studying, and immersing ourselves in the Word of God. Romans 10:17 tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." That is why Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 11:15). It is another way of saying, "Listen up." It is attention with intention. It is all in how we listen.

If we hear the Word of God, our faith will grow. And when we hear the Word of God, it puts everything else into perspective, because in the light of Scripture we see God for who He is. Thus, we see all of the challenges of life for what they are. We see everything the way we ought to see it. The apostle Paul wrote, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Faith is also developed through use. Some of us treat faith like it is fragile. But that is not what faith is like. Faith is tough. Faith is resilient. Faith gets stronger through use. Faith is like a muscle. You build up your muscle by effectively tearing it down, by using it. You get stronger by applying yourself. And the same is true of faith.

**Harvest Ministries**
 
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

"The Lord Comforts Sinners"

READ

John 8:1-11

We expect a loving heavenly Father to care for His children when they are hurt, persecuted, or misunderstood. But you might be surprised to realize that God comforts believers even when they have sinned.


Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save anyone who believes in Him (John 3:17). Consider His response to the woman whom the Pharisees dragged from an adulterous liaison and dropped at His feet. Her accusers wanted the offender stoned to death. But instead of taking up a rock, Jesus offered her forgiveness. The Lord did not defend her actions or completely erase all consequences of her choices. However, He did offer her compassion and an opportunity to turn her life around: “Go. From now on sin no more” (John 8:11).


God understands our human frailty. And even before we do wrong, He knows the poisonous harvest that we will reap from sin. We certainly want a lot of comfort when we are suffering from our own foolishness. A loving God does not abandon His children at their hour of great need—His Spirit wades into the mess we have made. He offers to guide us out of the pit, soothes our broken heart, and provides reassurance that He is always close by.

Sinning against the Lord makes us feel unworthy of His care and solace. Yet God’s forgiveness is based on His great mercy rather than our conduct. If Jesus Christ sacrificed His life to save you from your sins, then He certainly will love and comfort you, no matter what.

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

"Today Is the Day of Salvation"

7 )So it is as the Holy Spirit says:  "Today listen to what he says. 8 )Do not be stubborn as in the past
when you turned against God, when you tested God in the desert. 9 )There your ancestors tried me and tested me and saw the things I did for forty years. 10) I was angry with them. I said, 'They are not loyal to me and have not understood my ways.'  11) I was angry and made a promise, 'They will never enter my rest.' "a] — Psalm 95:7–11


12 )So brothers and sisters, be careful that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that will turn you away from the living God.13) But encourage each other every day while it is "today."b] Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you.14) We all share in Christ if we keep till the end the sure faith we had in the beginning. 15 )This is what the Scripture says:

"Today listen to what he says. Do not be stubborn as in the past when you turned against God." — Psalm 95:7–8

16) Who heard God's voice and was against him? It was all those people Moses led out of Egypt. 17) And with whom was God angry for forty years? He was angry with those who sinned, who died in the desert.18) And to whom was God talking when he promised that they would never enter his rest? He was talking to those who did not obey him.19) So we see they were not allowed to enter and have God's rest, because they did not believe.  Heb. 3: 7-19 (NCV)


Procrastination can be a big problem: important tasks are neglected, and the benefits of finished work are never enjoyed. However, procrastinating in spiritual matters can be disastrous. Every person is going to spend eternity somewhere. The destination is determined in this lifetime by a choice to either accept or reject Jesus’ offer of the forgiveness of sins. Some people feel that they can delay this decision. Eternity seems distant, and there is so much to enjoy in this life. They assume, I’ll just wait until I’m close to death. Then I’ll ask Jesus to save me.

The problems with this reasoning are obvious. First of all, there is no guarantee that you will have any warning before death. Second, by spending a lifetime rejecting Christ’s offer, you run the risk of developing a hardened heart. Saying no to God frequently throughout your life may result in being unable to say yes when death comes knocking at the door. In fact, you may not even be interested in Christ’s offer anymore.

There is great danger in abusing the grace of God. All people who are not protected by salvation in Jesus Christ will face the terrifying reality of judgment, as they stand before God without a Savior (Heb. 10:26-27).

By putting off a decision for Christ, you not only lose the immediate blessings of a deeply personal relationship with God now but also risk future separation from Him for all eternity. Don’t procrastinate! Come to Christ today: acknowledge your sin, ask His forgiveness, and trust Him as your Savior.


BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!

DAWN

"The Value of God's Word"

14 But you should continue following the teachings you

learned. You know they are true, because you trust those who

taught you.15 Since you were a child you have known the Holy

Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom

leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is

 inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people

what is wrong in their lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching

how to live right. 17 Using the Scriptures, the person who serves

God will be capable, having all that is needed to do every

 good work.  2Tim. 3: 14-17 (NCV)

From the opening line of Genesis to the final words of Revelation, all of Scripture is divinely inspired. And every word has purpose and importance.

The Old Testament introduces us to God’s nature, ways, and power; it lays the foundation for us to understand the Lord’s holiness and humanity’s desperate need for a Savior. The New Testament explains that Jesus sacrificially became our “bridge” to the Father (John 14:6). Its writings clarify why we must trust Christ for salvation, how to live as God’s children, and what to expect in this life and after death.

Through the Scriptures, almighty God reveals Himself to us. He also says that His Word is important for teaching, reproof, correction, instruction, and preparation for what we will face in life (2 Tim. 3:16-17). No other book holds such value for living.

Ephesians 6:13-17 compares the Word to armor, and for good reason: in the battle of life, we have a real enemy who wants to destroy us. But God’s power is greater (1 John 4:4), and “dressing” in war gear daily prepares His children for the temptations, lies, and decisions they will face. We ought to be excited about the Word of God, for it is the only hope for mankind—and the only instruction that leads to victory both in life and after physical death.

The Bible predicted that many people would reject the truth, and a glimpse at our culture shows that to be the case. Don’t let yourself fall into the same trap. Meditate daily on Scripture, and ask God to speak to you. Life without His truth is destined for failure.
 
Be Blessed & Be A Blessing To One ANother!
 
Dawn

"The Sword of the Spirit"

The Sword of the Spirit

And take the helmet of salvation, and the

sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

— Ephesians 6:17

ave you ever noticed that when you plan to spend some time reading your Bible, all kinds of crazy things start happening? You can get up in the morning and read the newspaper, every section of it, and everything is fine. There are no phone calls, no disturbances. Nothing is going on. But when you say, "I'm going to read my Bible," the phone starts ringing. Kids start screaming. You remember that you forgot to pick up the dry cleaning or return a phone call. They are not necessarily evil things that are keeping you from God's Word—they are just things. They are distractions. The devil doesn't want you to read your Bible. Did you know that? He wants to distract you, because the Bible is a crucial weapon for spiritual battle.

Ephesians 6:17 refers to God's Word as "the sword of the Spirit." It is the only piece of offensive weaponry listed with the armor of God in Ephesians 6. The breastplate and helmet are for protection. The shoes help a soldier gain ground. The shield is something to stand behind. But the sword is for attacking and inflicting damage.

So we want to sharpen our sword. We want to study it and know the weight of it. We want to know how it works and how it moves. And most importantly, we want to know how we are going to use it.

What shape is your sword in? Is it polished from daily use? Has it been sharpened on the anvil of experience as you have applied and obeyed its truth in your life? Or, is your sword dulled from disobedience? Is it rusty from lack of preparation?

It has been said that a Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't.

**Be Pastor Chalres Stanley**
Be Blessed & Be a Blessing to One Another!
 
Dawn

" Our Relatioship With God"

33 Lord, teach me your demands, and I will keep them

until the end.  34 Help me understand, so I can keep your

teachings, obeying them with all my heart.  35 Lead me in

the path of your commands, because that makes me happy.

36 Make me want to keep your rules instead of wishing

 for riches.  37 Keep me from looking at worthless things. 

Let me live by your word.  38 Keep your promise to me,

 your servant, so you will be respected.  39 Take

away the shame I fear, because your laws are good.  

40 How I want to follow your orders.  Give me life

because of your goodness.  PSALM 119: 33 -40 (NCV)

By trusting Christ, a person enters into a lifelong relationship with the heavenly Father. As believers, we have a responsibility to keep that connection healthy.

First, we must learn about our new family. An essential and on-going part of family life involves knowing and being known by the other members. In the Bible, God gave a detailed description of His attributes, values, and thinking. And since Jesus came to earth, we can better understand divine character, which was demonstrated in a human life. As we meditate on Scripture, our sense of connectedness to our triune God will grow.

Second, we should stay in close contact with God through prayer and study of His Word—and resist the temptation to put people, work, or pleasures ahead of Him. Remember: Relationships thrive with consistent interaction but wither if neglected.

Third, we are to respond to what He has communicated. He provided instructions for living and explained what pleases Him. In healthy families, people pay attention to each other. We need to heed our Father’s warnings and obey His commands.

Finally, we must grow in likeness to God. Relatives can resemble each other in subtle and obvious ways. As we cooperate with the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, we will start to think and act like our Father.

God the Father provided salvation through His Son, who died so we could become spiritually alive. Jesus set an example for us to follow: a life of loving, obedient service. God’s Spirit is doing His sanctifying work in us (1 Peter 1:2). Are we doing our part to keep the relationship healthy?
 
**From Pastor Charles Stanley**
Be Blessed & Be Blessing to One Another!
 
Dawn

"Intimacy With Our Heavenly Father"

2Yet some people accepted Him (Christ) and put

their faith in Him. So He gave them the right to be

 the children of God. 13They were not God's children by

nature or because of any human desires. God himself

was the one who made them his children.

John 1:12-13 (CEV)

From the beginning, God intended to have an intimate, loving relationship with us. What evidence do we have that this is His desire? His Son. One reason Christ came to earth is for us to know and relate to God the Father. The Bible tells us that Jesus is His exact representation; His words and works were the same as God’s (John 5:19; 12:50). Therefore, when we look at the Son, we are seeing the character of our heavenly Father.

Invitation. Through the Scriptures, God invites us to join His family (3:16). He took care of all the arrangements; our part is to say yes.

Adoption. The closest tie we can have with one another is family. At salvation, the Lord adopts us into His own. This relationship with our heavenly Father lasts for eternity, providing us with support, encouragement, and love.

Friendship. By calling His disciples “friends” (15:15), Jesus revealed a new aspect to their relationship, which applied to His future followers as well. Christ is a forever friend, one who will never desert or turn away from us.

His Presence. From the moment of our salvation, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is even closer to us than any earthly kin can be.

The Lord invites us to become family through faith in Christ. This is our highest calling—to believe in Him and live for Him all of our days (20:31). Once we become God’s children, His Spirit will work in us to make our family resemblance stronger and clearer in thought, word, and deed.
 
Be Blessed & Be a Blessing to One Another!
 
Dawn

"A Sin Review"

"Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me, for the

 sake of your goodness, O LORD!" - Psalm 25:7

David remembers all too well the sins of his youth - as well as more recent ones! And yet he comes to God with a bold request: "Remember not the sins of my youth." Do you know what he's talking about? He's talking here about sins of ignorance, the sins of youthful arrogance. "I didn't know any better." Or, "I thought I knew better!" Does that ring bells for you? Did you do some stupid stuff when you were young? The older I get, the more I realize how little I knew when I knew it all. The sins of my youth - now those are some haunting problems from the past: "I was ignorant. I was foolish. I was immature - Lord, choose not to remember these things."

But notice the second phrase: "... or my transgressions." Some translations say "my rebellious ways." It means my willful acts; not just my youthful foolishness, but the times in my life, God, when I knew the right and I chose the wrong. I knew that my attitude was wrong, but I chose that bitterness anyway. I knew that my values were wrong, but I chose to be selfish. I knew that that pleasure was forbidden by You, but I consumed it for myself. As we draw near to God, we have a sense of His holiness.

Sometimes it's not easy to be in the hot seat. If we're going to really connect with the life of trust, the barrier is sin. "Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God," Isaiah 59:2 says. "Your sins have hidden his face from you." One of the reasons why people trust God so little is because trusting God requires dealing with sin. "Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!" "I don't deserve to be riding along here with You. I don't deserve to be in this life of trust and faith, but I acknowledge my sin. And I claim Your mercy."
 
 
Be Blessed & Be Blessing to One Another!
 
Dawn

"God's Word With Us"

If we internalize the Bible, we will manifest His heart --- unknown

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee" - Psalm 119:11

1When Christ Jesus comes as king, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you 2to preach God's message. Do it willingly, even if it isn't the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient. 3The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. 4They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories. 5But you must stay calm and be willing to suffer. You must work hard to tell the good news and to do your job well.  2Tim. 4: 1-5 (CEV)

Most everyone in our culture has easy access to a Bible, yet this remarkable book is too often left on the shelf to gather dust. If only people grasped its true worth, they would prize God’s Word above all other possessions.   All of Scripture was inspired by the Holy Spirit. While He used man to pen the words, every thought in the Bible originated with God Himself (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Consider how we treasure letters from people we love. Our response to Scripture should be even stronger. The Creator of the universe—the God who holds eternity in His hand—recorded all the truth that is necessary for His children to live fully and joyfully, both before and after death (2 Peter 1:3). God reveals Himself through His Word, which is alive and powerful to transform our lives (Heb. 4:12).

What’s more, Romans 10:17 explains the great importance of our love for the Word: "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ" In other words, Scripture is the very means by which saving faith is possible.


How could such a book have become so commonplace in our heart? So taken for granted? It is vital that we realize the preeminence of its author, the Lord, and its potential impact on our lives today.  Think about the last time you saw a Bible. What was your reaction? Did you finger the pages with awe, or did you pass it by with barely a glance? Next time you open this precious book, read the words, savor their meaning, and ask God to help you apply the lesson to your life.


Be Blessed and Be a Blessing to One Another!
 
Dawn

"Out of His Control"

We know that God's children do not make a practice of

 sinning, for God's Son holds them securely,

and the evil one cannot touch them.

— 1 John 5:18

When Jesus Christ comes into your life, he becomes the sole occupant. Yet some people have suggested that Christians can be demon-possessed. However, Jesus is not in a timeshare program with your heart. The Bible says, "What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God" (2 Corinthians 6:15–16).

Yet the devil would love you to think that you are powerless against his attacks, that you have no recourse, that you are no match. He would love you to believe that you will always be a victim, an addict, a puppet for him to control. And I want to tell you that is 100 percent wrong. Though it is true that a believer can be hassled or tempted or oppressed by the devil and his minions, he cannot control us.

If we yield to his power, he will have his sway in our lives. But if we resist him, we can be free from it. And here is what you need to remember: God is greater than Satan. As the Bible says, "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world" (1 John 4:4).

You cannot cast out temptation. You cannot cast out things that attack you. Instead, you need to deny and resist them. You need to put your spiritual armor on. The Bible says, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). The key is to stay as close to God as you possibly can.
 
Be Blessed & Be a Blessing to One Another
 
Dawn

"The Way Out"

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is

common to man; but is God faithful, who will not allow

you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the

temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may

 be able to bear it."  1 Corinthians 10:13

As believers, we have God's promise that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle. But here is the problem: sometimes we unnecessarily put ourselves in the way of temptation. As one person put it, "Lead me not into temptation. I can find it myself." Instead of hearing what God is saying and taking practical steps to stay away from the things that could drag us down, we unnecessarily put ourselves in the path of temptation.

We live in the real world, and all around us are things that can distract us, things that could ultimately entice us. But it is another thing to put ourselves in places where we know we are weak.

The person who has a problem with drinking shouldn't be spending time in a bar. The single guy who is struggling with sexual temptation shouldn't be spending time alone with his girlfriend late at night, in the dark. That is putting oneself unnecessarily in the way of temptation.

We know that God "will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). And sometimes the way of escape is the door.

Case in point: Joseph. Day in and day out, Potiphar's wife was trying to seduce him. Eventually, she cast all subtlety aside and just pulled him down on the bed. So what did Joseph do? He did what any clear-thinking young man would do under the circumstances: he ran like crazy.

God will never give us more than we can handle. There is always a way out. But sometimes we just need to take practical steps to resist temptation. What steps are you taking today?
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

"Walking in the Spirit"

READ

Galatians 5:16-25

The Holy Spirit is one of God’s most precious gifts to His beloved children. He takes up residence within the believer at the moment of salvation and empowers him to overcome sin and live for God’s glory and purposes. However, the Spirit’s power can be “turned off” or ignored. Only those who choose to walk with Him have unhindered access to His strength and guidance.

Walking by the Spirit denotes reliance upon Him. He leads the way, and we follow. As He speaks, we listen, heed His warnings, and obey His directions. The Spirit’s way is a path of surrender which, although difficult, leads to fullness of life.

God’s Spirit not only guides; He also empowers because the challenge of obeying Him is impossible in our own strength. The Holy Spirit supplies everything we need to live a godly life, and He produces His amazing fruit in us.

Being led by the Spirit should be the natural lifestyle of the sons and daughters of God. As you intentionally seek to maintain an awareness of His presence throughout the day, He is only a thought away. When your mind turns to Him, He gives sensitivity to the things of God and understanding about the situations and people in your life.


Take a walk with the Spirit today, and learn to know His voice. Whenever your mind is not occupied with the duties of the day, focus your thoughts on Him, asking for His guidance and looking expectantly for His leading. When He gives it, rely on His power to obey.

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

Life without Black People

A special Black History Post.  My uncle shared it with me and I'm sharing it with you all...enjoy!

FACTS THAT ARE OFTEN NOT KNOWN, OR FORGOTTEN.


Life Without Black People

A very humorous and revealing story is told about a group of white people who were fed up with African Americans, so they joined together and wished themselves away. They passed through a deep dark tunnel and emerged in sort of a twilight zone where there is an America without black people.

At first these white people breathed a sigh of relief.

'At last', they said, 'no more crime, drugs, violence and welfare.'

All of the blacks have gone! Then suddenly, reality set in. The 'NEW AMERICA' is not America at all - only a barren land.


1. There are very few crops that have flourished because the nation was built on a slave-supported system.

2. There are no cities with tall skyscrapers because Alexander Mils, a black man, invented the elevator, and without it, one finds great difficulty reaching higher floors.

3. There are few if any cars because Richard Spikes, a black man, invented the automatic gearshift, Joseph Gambol, also black, invented the Super Charge System for Internal Combustion Engines, and Garrett A. Morgan, a black man, invented the traffic signals.

4. Furthermore, one could not use the rapid transit system because its procurer was the electric trolley, which was invented by another black man, Albert R. Robinson.

5. Even if there were streets on which cars and a rapid transit system could operate, they were cluttered with paper because an African American, Charles Brooks, invented the street sweeper..

6. There were few if any newspapers, magazines and books because John Love invented the pencil sharpener, William Purveys invented the fountain pen, and Lee Barrage invented the Type Writing Machine and W. A. Love invented the Advanced Printing Press. They were all, you guessed it, Black.

7. Even if Americans could write their letters, articles and books, they would not have been transported by mail because William Barry invented the Postmarking and Canceling Machine, William Purveys invented the Hand Stamp and Philip Downing invented the Letter Drop.

8. The lawns were brown and wilted because Joseph Smith invented the Lawn Sprinkler and John Burr the Lawn Mower.

9. When they entered their homes, they found them to be poorly ventilated and poorly heated. You see, Frederick Jones invented the Air Conditioner and Alice Parker the Heating Furnace. Their homes were also dim. But of course, Lewis Lattimer later invented the Electric Lamp, Michael Harvey invented the lantern, and Granville T. Woods invented the Automatic Cut off Switch. Their homes were also filthy because Thomas W. Steward invented the Mop and Lloyd P. Ray the Dust Pan.

10. Their children met them at the door - barefooted, shabby, motley and unkempt. But what could one expect? Jan E. Matzelinger invented the Shoe Lasting Machine, Walter Sammons invented the Comb, Sarah Boone invented the Ironing Board, and George T. Samon invented the Clothes Dryer.

11. Finally, they were resigned to at least have dinner amidst all of this turmoil. But here again, the food had spoiled because another Black Man, John Standard invented the refrigerator....

Now, isn't that something? What would this country be like without the contributions of Blacks, as African-Americans?

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, 'by the time we leave for work, millions of Americans have depended on the inventions from the minds of Blacks.'

Black history includes more than just slavery, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Marcus Garvey & W.E.B. Dubois.


PLEASE SHARE, ABUNDANTLY
 
Dawn

"YOU'RE HEART A BATTLEFIELD"

I am sure the greatest day in your life was the day you put your faith in Jesus Christ. And as we grow in our faith and knowledge of what God actually did for us, we become more aware of how significant that day really was. That was the day when we literally had our eternal address changed from a place called hell to a place called heaven. That was the day when we turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. That was the day when, according to Jesus, there was a party in heaven given in our honor—a victory shout, if you will, from the angels and from those who have gone before us.


But it was also the day when a very real spiritual battle began. In fact, it has been said that conversion has made our hearts a battlefield. Just as surely as there is a God who loves you, there is also a devil who hates you—a devil who wants to stop the work God is doing in your life.

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talked about the seed that fell on the roadside and was eaten by the birds. He said, "Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts" (Matthew 13:19). It is called an attack, and you had better get ready for it.


If you want to be a spiritual pacifist, then you are going down. You will have to toughen up and put on the armor of God, because in this spiritual battle, you are either advancing or retreating. You are either winning or losing. So you must fight to win. And it is a battle that can be won—if you march with Christ.
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN

"WHEN WE SIN"

It is a not of matter of if we are going to sin; it is a matter of when. The Bible says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). We all will sin. The question is, what are we going to do when we sin? Will we listen to the wrong voice and do the wrong thing? Or will we listen to the right voice and do the right thing?


Both Judas Iscariot and Peter betrayed Jesus in their own way. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Peter denied knowing Christ. But I believe that had Judas wanted it, he could have been forgiven by Jesus. In the Garden of Gethsemane, when he came to identify Jesus as the one the authorities were seeking, Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?" (Matthew 26:50). He offered him a final act of forgiveness. Still, Judas betrayed Jesus. He later realized what he had done, but he never repented of his sin. He listened to the wrong voice and did the wrong thing.

Peter denied knowing Jesus not once, not twice, but three times. But then he went and wept bitterly afterward. Peter stayed with his Christian friends, he turned to Jesus, and he received forgiveness. Peter listened to the right voice and did the right thing.

The wrong voice, the devil, would drive us from Jesus, from church, from fellowship, from the Word of God, and from everything that could help us. But the right voice will take us to the Word of God, to church, to our Christian friends, to God in prayer, and to forgiveness and restoration in a relationship with Him. You have a choice. Which voice will you listen to?
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
 
DAWN