Tag: #bibletime

Sermon on the Plain

Sermon on the Plain

Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

Sermon on the Plain

“And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases.” Luke 6:17 KJV

Jesus’ sermon is sometimes called the Sermon on the Plain (or the Sermon on the Plateau) is delivered after coming down from a mountain and standing on a level place. Jesus begins with some beatitudes. In the Sermon Jesus gives us some command: love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those that curse us, pray for those who use, turn the other cheek when one strikes us, give generously to everyone who ask of us, and finally the Golden rule: “Do to others as you would have them do unto you.

Let’s break these commands down: Love your enemies-How hard has it been for you to love those you know hate you? Bless those who curse us-Have you been called everything but a child of God?  Every curse doesn’t have to be a cuss word to hurt a person. Pray for those who abuse us- Did you know that physical abuse is not the only form of abuse. There are five other abuses: sexual, verbal/emotional, mental/psychological, financial/economic, and cultural/identity.

Jesus closes the Sermon on the plain by reminding us to take action and follow through on our commitment. Even as hard as it sometimes an be, it all points back to the Golden rule of taking God’s way up by doing to others as you would have them do unto you.

Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Attitude

Attitude

Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, his Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

Attitude

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2 NLT

We have all been there, feeling the weight of life’s problems on every side. We have felt it in our relationships with others, dreams that are still just dreams, finances running away from us like water, deadlines missed and the  frustration it brings. How much more can a sista take? But look at God leading me to James 1:2. Imagine that,  considering all of my troubles as an opportunity for great joy. 

James wrote today’s key verse during a time when people faced great persecution, unrelenting trials and sufferings — from murder to imprisonment — at the hand of Saul, who was zealous in his efforts to destroy the church and anyone associated with Jesus. As a result, they juggled an array of emotions, including fear, mourning, confusion, loneliness and even hopelessness. Some fled their homes in fear for their lives. They lived in poverty, forced to scrounge for food to survive. Some were sick, and everyone was exhausted. They had every right to be negative and pessimistic. I can only imagine as they sunk under the weight of seemingly insurmountable problems and fears, that their faith might have been sinking, too.

When life gets hard, it’s difficult to avoid letting a bad attitude take over our minds and rule our lives. We might not experience religious persecution as those first believers did, but let’s face it: People hurt us, the past haunts us, coworkers mistreat us, parents don’t love us, friends don’t consider us, spouses don’t honor us, children don’t appreciate or respect us, finances don’t support us, and our health doesn’t sustain us. James’ instructions to the believers of his time can help us, too.

It’s imperative that we seek God’s guidance about every aspect of our lives and allow Him to work out His perfect will. Friends let us take on his values, attitude, and character. I realizing my attitude was my choice, and knowing whatever circumstances I faced didn’t have the power to dictate that attitude unless I let them. The only thing we have to lose by choosing a positive attitude is a negative one.

Lord, free us from the shackles of a bad attitude. Work in our hearts and minds to change my thoughts from negative to positive — despite the struggles I face. Fill me with a joy that can only come from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Remember friends, we are each others’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

Gratitude

Gratitude

Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, his Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

Gratitude

Psalms 118:28-29 NIV

You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines gratitude as being thankful: readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. What does God’s word teach us about gratitude? It is the ability to show our words in action. When we are thankful, we are recognizing the very source of where our help comes from. There is no greater sign of appreciation than to remember the Good Lord in all we do.

As I look further into gratitude, there is something wonderful about people uplifting people. A thank you can go a long way when we need help or helping others. It does make a difference.

John F. Kennedy had this to say about gratitude, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

Maya Angelou said these words about gratitude, “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”

Here are some benefits of a thankful heart:

Less complaining as we count our blessings and focus on what we do have.

A overall sense of wellbeing for our body and mind.

Our intentions shine through in our actions.

Better relationships are formed as we seek understanding over judgement.

We gain a perspective of humility.

Provides valuable insight in serving other.

My Prayer, “Lord I thank ya! You woke me up this morning and I was closed in my right mind. You gave me a reasonable portion of health and strength as my feet touched the floor. When I opened the blinds, I could hear the birds chirping and see squirrels scampering up the trees. Lord you are mighty. I come to you with thanksgiving in my heart saying, thank you for another day.”

Remember we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

When We Pray Together

When We Pray Together

Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, his Word.

Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!

When We Pray Together

Psalms 20:1-9 NIV

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. LORD, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!

We have all been there, distressed, needing the Lords help, and desiring victory over our circumstances. Psalm 20 has two parts, the assembled people and King David’s pray for victory in an impending battle. The people pray that God would bless the king during the fight.

David prays to describe his confidence in God. David and the people of Israel are trusting in something far more effective, and reliable than human armies.  Here lies the power of a prayerful people who have come together on one accord to get things done. Not in their own strength, but the strength of the Lord through faith. There is nothing like coming together with other believers in prayer.

When we pray together, we experience God’s presence.

When we pray together, we become impactful when we lift each other up.

When we pray together, we unlock the doors of our hidden potential.

When we pray together, there is a change in the atmosphere affecting the very condition of things around us.

When we pray together, there is evidence of transformation.

When we pray together, we are louder than any operatic vocal performance or brass jazz band ensemble. He hears us. The Word says, “for where two or three gather are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 NKJV

Remember we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.