"When We Come Together"

Scripture: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." -Matthew 18:19 & 20, NIV

This time last weekend, my wife and I were getting our last-minute things together as we were preparing for our trip to Pennsylvania. After grabbing some clothes for one of our events and taking care of our business, we made the drive to one of my ministerial friend's house where we jumped in their vehicle in route to the meeting point. Once we got to the meeting point and saw the number of people on the bus, we knew a good time was in line. One week later, after recovering from a 70's bowling party, snow tubing, shopping, fun at a nearby casino, and pure fellowship, I can say that it was not only a blessing, but it allowed me to connect with some people and be blessed by their lives and stories. This only occurred when we came together. Brothers and sisters, within our walks with God, He wants you and I to understand that "no man is an island" and it's something special when His people come together. Today's text will further illustrate this point.

Today's main scripture is located in the Gospel account according to Matthew. Within his account, scholars remark that Matthew conveys the work of Jesus Christ in such a manner that makes it exciting for the Christian of those days and even the modern-day Christian. This book's purpose was to convey to the Jews that Jesus was the Promised Messiah, mentioned in the Old Testament. Within this particular chapter, Jesus ministers to His disciples through the parables of the lost sheep and the unmerciful servant, and also provides discussion on who's the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and what to do when a brother sins against you. Within His dealing about when a brother sins against you, we find clarity in what occurs when we come together.

As Jesus spoke here, He started the text by saying, "Again I tell you that if two of you on Earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in Heaven". Old Testament backs this scripture through the Minor Prophet Amos when he said, "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" Brothers and sisters, there was a devotional I wrote a while back entitled "There's Power in Agreement". Get this one in your Spirit on today: Some of the greatest blessings in your life come when you touch and agree with another believer! I have seen God work miraculously because of the power of agreement. Agreement cannot occur unless we come together! On today, if you are out there and you are looking for God to open up a financial blessing, I come into agreement with you! If you are looking for peace, I come into agreement with you! If you are looking for love and you have looked in all the wrong places, I come into agreement that God sends you the right man/woman! If your body has been racking with pain on this week, I come into agreement that God would provide His healing virtue over your body! Whatever you, as a believer, desire from God, find another believer, and come into agreement. If you do that, the Word through Jesus lets us know that "it will be done for you by my Father in Heaven".

Not only does God show up in your prayers when we come together, but He Himself shows up when we come together. The final part of the text says, "For where two or three come together in my Name, there am I with them". In other words, when two other people and me come together, in the name of Jesus, then Jesus has to come in! One of the most powerful things we do at our church is we pray for one another in groups of two and three. We do this because we know that God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will come in and see about us! We know that whatever problems are bogging us down, whether if they are financial, emotional, physical, spiritual, family-related, work-related, or anything else, we have one or two other people praying for us to strengthen us to make it! As I heard the elder generation use to say back in North Carolina, when God's people get together, what a time, what a time, what a time! Aren't you deserving of a good time with God and your fellow brothers and sisters? Aren't you deserving of breakthrough to take place in your life? Aren't you deserving of God doing something special for others through your prayers? If you feel and know that you are deserving, get together with your brother and/or sister sometime, come into agreement, and allow God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to manifest!

“Be on the Lookout"

Scripture: "Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping." -1 Peter 5:8, The Message Bible

As a lover of movies, one genre of movies that I watch every once in a while are scary movies. The last scary movie I watched was "The Box" with Cameron Diaz. The movie entailed she, a school teacher, and her husband, a scientist who worked at NASA Langley in Hampton, VA, having a date with fate. Fate came inside of a box. This box was delivered by this man who was missing a chunk of his face (you could see his gums and teeth). This man had a proposition for the family: hit the button in the box and receive $1 million and someone you do not know will die. As the husband hit the button, those in the theater, along with myself, were "on the lookout" for what would happen next. Later on, a person did die. If we think about this thing spiritually, God has given us life, health, strength, the ability to pray, the ability to read His Word, the ability to commune with His people, and other things. He gave us the ability to do these things because He wants you and I to always be on the lookout. Today's text will further clarify what I mean by "be on the lookout".

Today's main scripture is located in the book of 1 Peter. Its author, the Apostle Peter, wrote this book between 60 and 65 A.D. His intent was to let Christians worldwide know that though the time this book was written was a time of pain, hurt, and persecution that it was actually a season to rejoice. He informs the Christians worldwide to count it a joy and a privilege to suffer for Christ's sake as He has suffered for them. Within the fifth and final chapter of this book, Peter provides guidance to the elders and young men throughout the world and provides closing remarks. Within his guidance to the elders and young men, Peter provides us with why we should "be on the lookout".

The Message Bible begins this text by saying, "Keep a cool head, stay alert". The King James version begins this text by saying, "Be sober and be vigilant". The point is this: Life will fluster you with its pains, blues, and agonies. The spirits of people will get on your nerves! The economy will get on your nerves! The workplace will even get on your nerves! Your spouse, children or family members will get on your nerves! The enemy will get on your nerves! At the end of the day, Peter is telling you and me to be on the lookout and maintain a cool head and stay alert! One cliché that we should think about employing is "Don't let your enemy see you sweat". As I fore stated, because life has a way of rubbing you the wrong way, it's critical to maintain poise and calmness and do not allow the enemy to see you sweat! Why would Peter encourage the elders, young men, and us to keep a cool head, stay alert, and "be on the lookout"?

The text concludes by saying, "The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping". As an avid lover of football, I am always amazed at how quarterbacks can capitalize on the simplest errors the opposing defense makes. Case in point: I have seen this year how Peyton Manning has double pumped the football and next thing you know, one of his receivers is wide open because the defensive back fell asleep on defense. Manning throws the ball to his receiver and next thing you know, Indy has scored a touchdown! I bring this up because just as Peyton Manning like to capitalize on sleeping defenses, so does the Devil! He wants to pounce on you, my brother, and my sister, when you are vulnerable and are caught napping! As men and women of God, if we can "be on the lookout" and keep our focus on God, He will prepare us for the blitzes that may come from the enemy!

In closing, the world (natural and spiritual) are full of crazy people. It's on us as men and women of God to always "be on the lookout" because the enemy is looking to pounce! My encouragement to my family on today is to continue to fight the good fight of faith, stay in your Word, maintain your relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and other communication, and stay alert! As you do these things, God will set up audibles to stop the Devil's defense from sacking you!

“What Will You Do When the Mantle Is Dropped On You?”

Scripture: "So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant." -1 Kings 19:19 - 21, NIV

As a eighteen year-old freshman at North Carolina A&T State University, I watched the 1998 NBA All-Star Game that was in New York City at the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. This particular game had meaning to it because at this particular time, it was the last All-Star game appearance for one of the greatest players in league history, Michael Jordan. As Jordan and his Eastern Conference All-Stars completed the game against the Western Conference All-Stars, he embraced the then "new kid on the block" in Kobe Bryant. Many pundits within the basketball world considered this moment as a "passing of the torch/mantle" of greatness from one player to another. Since then, Bryant has emerged as one of the league's best, winning four NBA titles, a league MVP, a NBA Finals MVP, and three All-Star Game MVPs. Just as the mantle was dropped on Bryant by Jordan, there are times where you yourself may receive a mantle/torch. This mantle may be a greater anointing from a seasoned saint, may be the mantle to do bigger things than what your ancestors did, or may be taking over a particular spot within your family to serve them on a greater level. At the end of the day, I pose the question: what will you do when the mantle is dropped on you? Today's text provides a prime example of how someone answered this question.

Our main scripture for today is found in the book of 1 Kings, one of the twelve Deuteronomistic History (written to discuss Israel's obedience/disobedience to God) books of the Old Testament. This book was said to be written between 560 and 540 B.C. and though the book does not name a specific author, scholars state that it was written by the Prophet Jeremiah. From 1 Kings, we learn about the reign of King Solomon, other kings after him, the eventual split of united Israel, and the use of prophets. One of the prophets used within this book was Elijah. You remember Elijah, the one who stood against 450 of Baal's prophets in the dual of the gods between God and Baal. Elijah, the one who had to run because Jezebel wanted him dead. However, within today's text, he was along his journey and met a man by the name of Elisha, the son of Shaphat. With their encounter, we obtain some clarity to today's topic question.

When Elijah met Elisha, Elisha was working. He was plowing with his twelve yoke of oxen and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. As Elisha was working, Elijah threw his cloak (mantle in the King James) around Elisha. What a powerful moment here! Have you ever been in a situation where God's anointing has hit you and it caused to stop what you were doing and give Him a praise? Have you ever been in a place where His anointing rested on you so much that you were paralyzed and could not do a thing? Well, after having the mantle dropped on him by Elijah, Elisha stopped what he was doing and ran after Elijah. The text reveals to us that Elisha told Elijah "let me kiss my father and mother good-by and then I will come with you". In other words, the anointing/mantle of Elijah was so strong that it caused Elisha to make a life-changing decision and leave his parents and his riches there. Has God's anointing ever hit you to make you re-think some things and think about re-locating?

Continuing on in the text, we find that Elijah told Elisha "Go back, What have I done to you?" This portion of the text showed us that Elijah did not want Elisha to come just to be coming. He wanted Elisha to be sure in his mind what he was doing and realize the kind of sacrifice he would be making. There are/will be times in your life that when you accept the mantle that you have to do a "self assessment" to make sure you know that this is the right thing to do and to make sure that it's in the will of God. After hearing this statement, Elisha went back home. After going back home, we find out how serious Elisha was about following Elijah. He took his yoke of oxen and killed them. He burnt up his plowing equipment to cook the meat, gave the meat to people to eat, and then he went to serve Elijah as his attendant. If the mantle of greater anointing has dropped on you, then let nothing or no one stop you from receiving that greater anointing! If the mantle of financial success has been dropped on you, then let nothing or no one stop you from achieving the greater financial success! If the mantle of good health has been dropped on you, then let nothing or no one stop from having good health! Whatever mantle has been dropped on you, do not let anyone or anything stop you from getting what God has for you!

“The Importance of Fearing God”

Scripture: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge …" -Proverbs 1:7, NIV
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, …" - Proverbs 9:10, NIV

As I write you, my brother and my sister on this morning, if I was to take a poll, all of you would own up to being afraid of something. Those fears may include failure, altitude, hurting your loved one, insects, dying, accidents, being surrounded by a lot of people in a tight space, and the list goes on and on. The real man or woman on the inside will strive to break these fears by doing a particular task. Case in point, if one is afraid of altitude, they may break their fear by getting in a plane and flying to a destination. If you have a fear of hurting a loved one, you would watch the things you say or how you react to those individuals. At the end of the day, those fears are irrelevant. There's someone you ought to fear more than anything or anyone in this world and that's our Heavenly Father! As we discussed in previous devotions, the fear we ought to have of God is not the same type of fear we have when we are afraid of something. The kind of fear we should have of God is one of respect and reverence. Why is it important to fear our Heavenly Father? I'm glad you asked because today's message will point out two critical reasons why your fear of God is important.

Today's main scripture is found in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs, written by King Solomon, was penned around 900 B.C. and is the fourth of the five Poetry books within the Old Testament of the Bible. This book of wise sayings and clichés were things Solomon learned from his reign as king of Israel and God blessed him with enough wisdom to pen it and bless you and me with it on today. Within the introductory and ninth chapters, Solomon provided us with the importance of why we should fear God.

Within the introductory chapter of Proverbs, Solomon teaches us that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge …". When we place ourselves in a mode where we honor God, reverence Him, and respect Him, it will start knowledge within you. The knowledge of handling your money, it will be given to you if you fear the Lord! The knowledge of being a good husband/wife, it will be given to you if you fear the Lord! The knowledge of making good grades in school, it will be given to you if you fear the Lord! The knowledge to make sound business decisions, it will be given to you if you fear the Lord! The ability to minister God's Word on a regular basis, it will be given to you if you fear the Lord! Anything you desire knowledge wise can be yours if you fear the Lord!

The other reason why it is important to fear God is found in ninth chapter of Proverbs. Solomon lets us know that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom …". Ladies and gentlemen, many people tend to be in awe of you because of the things you have done or can do. If truth were told, they should not be in awe because if they serve the same God as you, then they would understand that He blessed you with wisdom. Solomon can tell us this up, close, and personal, because God asked him what he desired before becoming king of Israel. Solomon told God that he desired wisdom. Solomon would have not gained wisdom unless he feared God! Brothers and sisters, God is really ready to take you to another level in Him! He's ready to blow your mind and open up His windows and pour you out blessings that you have not enough room to receive! He is standing right there, willing and ready, to love on you! However, He desires that you give Him proper fear and respect and not only that, use the wisdom He has/will impart into you wisely! Many of us, God has blessed us financially and next thing you know, we have spent our money quicker than a hiccup and later wondering, why am I not able to pay my bill? It's important to be a wise builder because storms will come and if your house is not build wisely, it will get blown away!

In closing, we all have fears of something. Those fears does not amount to a hill of beans unless we fear (respect, honor, and reverence) the true and living God. When we fear Him, it begins knowledge and wisdom. The last time I checked, we all need both of these to make it through our lives! Make it your business to fear God properly and make the best use of His knowledge and wisdom in your lives!

“Faith Makes You Do Crazy Things”

Scripture: "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith." -Hebrews 11:7, NIV

As a husband of almost five and a half years to one of God's greatest gifts to Earth in my wife, I have learned to tap into a side of me that I would normally consider crazy. Case in point, about a month ago, we purchased ten theater chairs because my wife wanted to convert our finished basement downstairs into a theater. Due to these chairs being pretty heavy, she desired to have a platform built to place these chairs on there to give it an authenticity a la a theater. At first, the thought was to build the platform; however, we ran into a builder at Home Depot one night and he came by the next afternoon to quote us. Upon his quote being a little over our means and the fact that my wife could not contact another gentleman to do the work and because I love her and wanted the platform that bad, I decided that we could go purchase the wood and other tools needed to build the platform. Mind you, I call this instance crazy because though I am an engineer by trade, I am not a builder using wood or anything like that. When it was all said and done, the love for my wife and to make her happy prevailed because the non-builder that is me and she put together this platform. If you think about this thing spiritually, God has planted some things in your Spirit that you thought were crazy, but because you have developed faith in Him, you walked with the "crazy thing" He placed in you, and next thing you know, He has blessed you! Just in case you have not experienced this phenomenon, let today's text bless you.

Our main scripture for today is located in the book of Hebrews. According to my research, this book addresses three distinct groups: believers in Christ, unbelievers who had knowledge of and an intellectual acceptance of the facts of Christ, and unbelievers who were attracted to Christ, but ultimately rejected Him. In addition, one of the major topics within this book is that of faith. Chapter 11 of Hebrews denotes those who are considered heroes of faith within the Bible. Today's main scripture focuses on one of these heroes and how his faith made him do a crazy thing.

The author begins the text by writing, "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family". Wow! What a profound piece of scripture! Verse 1 of Chapter 11 tells us about what is faith. It tells us that "now faith is the substance of things hoped for, but the evidence of things not seen". If you go back and read Noah's episode in Genesis, you'll find out that God charged Noah to build an ark because He would eventually destroy the Earth by water. If truth were told, God has charged us with tasks because something eventually would occur. I recall hearing my wife telling another sister how she knew of a young lady, who was single, that bought more than enough washing detergent because she was anticipating being married and lo and behold, God allowed her husband to find her and she was ready to wash. Due to his faith in God and adhering to God's voice, Noah, though he had NEVER seen a drop of water come from the sky, began to build the ark. The text indicates he did it in "holy fear". Mind you, this fear is not the fear one has of a gun, but fear being reverence of God. Ladies and gentlemen, God is looking for you and I to fear Him like we supposed to! God is looking for you and I to reverence Him on a greater level! When we do that, we will be careful of the things we say to people. We will be careful of the things we do. We will be careful in how we do things. Due to his holy fear, the ark was built to save him and his family. When God orders you to do something faith wise, know that it usually has life-saving repercussions behind it. It may not necessarily be your physical life that's saved, but it just may be your spiritual life that is saved!

Due to his faith driving him to build the ark, the author concludes that "by his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith". Through Noah stepping up, exercising his faith, and building the ark, he condemned the world and became an heir of righteousness! Do you realize that your faith have some awesome benefits attached to it? Do you realize that you would become an heir of righteousness. When you are righteous in the eyesight of God, there isn't any good thing that He would withhold from you! Because of Noah's faith, his family was saved, animals were saved, and the world was able to be re-populated again with people and animals.

In closing, because of the faith my wife had in me, it drove me to do something out of my comfort zone, something "crazy" in my eyesight and build this platform alongside with her. Just like that, God has faith in you and me. He wants you to exercise your faith in such a way that crazy things will occur from you and yet bless His Kingdom, you and your family. We have a great example in Noah. Won't you step out and allow faith to serve as the dominant factor within your Christian walk? If you do, it has some attached blessings with your name on it!

“Fasting Plus Prayer Yields Results”

Scripture: "So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer." -Ezra 8:23, NIV

In this day and age, we are a part of what I like to think of as a "cause and effect" world. What I mean is that because you did something, there's an occurring effect that takes place. If you kiss your spouse/mate passionately, it will affect them in such a manner where they get tense or feeling really hot. If you work hard in school, then the effect is that you will yield good grades. If you work hard in the workplace, the effect is that you will yield a promotion or a pay increase somewhere down the road. What about spiritually? What goes on there? If you read and study God's Word, then the effect ought to be that you will live a life pleasing and acceptable to Him. What happens when you speak positive thoughts into the atmosphere? The end result ought to be positive actions and/or blessings within your life. Today's question is what happens when you fast and pray? Today's text emphasizes that through these two facets of the Christian walk, results are yielded.

Today's focal book is one of the twelve History books of the Old Testament, Ezra. According to scholars, this book is viewed as a book of hope and restoration. Ladies and gentlemen, life has dealt us all a blow at one time or another, but isn't God good because He provided you hope and in one point or another, restored you where your mind is not lost or where the money was gone, but you were still able to provide for you and your family! No matter how "bad" you think you have done, God wants you to understand that He is right there, ready to forgive you and welcome you back in the fold. Though the Israelites were captured and knew that they done wrong, God was still just to forgive them and restore them unto Himself! Within this particular chapter, Chapter 8, Ezra and the Israelites are now returning back home to Jerusalem after being held in Babylonian captivity for almost one hundred years. Within their return, they provided us as men and women of God hope that fasting plus prayer yields results.

Ezra emphasized that the fasting and praying was a group effort, not a solo effort when he wrote, "So we fasted and petitioned our God about this". One of the greatest things about fasting and praying is you have the opportunity to show God how dedicated and serious you are about achieving what you desire. Though these people were in Babylonian captivity, they fasted and prayed to God about their leaving and returning back to Jerusalem. Just like they did that, so can you! God wants to help you in every way possible! God wants to enlarge your territory and break the ties that bind you from achieving greatness! However, to reach those levels and greatness in Him, you have to fast and pray to Him about it! Jesus lets us know that "some things only come through fasting and praying". When we talk about fasting, there are various types; however, you can fast from watching TV, fast from drinking sodas, fast from eating chocolate, fast from smoking cigars, and other things. When you fast, fast on something that is the norm and that will hurt you now, but bless you greater later! Along with your fasting, pray to God and allow His voice to be the determining factor in your walk. When you do that, He has nothing but results in store for you!

This point is emphasized when Ezra wrote, "and He answered our prayer". In other words, the result here was that God granted them permission to go back to Jerusalem! When you fast and pray, results take place! When you fast and pray about your family, God will answer your prayer and bless them! When you fast and pray about your marriage, God will answer your prayer and turn it around! When you fast and pray about your finances, God will answer your prayer and give you what you need to survive and then some! When you fast and pray about your health, God will answer your prayer and bless your health! As a testimony, I recall sacrificing watching TV in the mornings back in 2002 for a month (including Saturdays) because I desired that God would bless me to make straight A's on my report card. Long story short, I fasted from TV and prayed and God yielded the results of straight A's at the end of the semester! As I like to tell people, I do not tell you about what I heard, but what I know! When it comes to fasting and praying, it yields results!

In closing, are you really hungry for a new level in God? Are you ready to step into the next level of your destiny? If you are, along with reading and studying God's Word, fast and pray. When you do that, just like He did for Ezra and the Israelites, He will answer your prayers!

“I Must Complete My Assignment”

Scripture: "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." -John 9:4

Within the past couple of days, I have been placed in a position where I have had to complete an assignment fairly quickly. The assignment called for me to help out my branch chief and one of my senior colleagues to merge two PowerPoint presentations into one, with a common color scheme, add pagination to the slides, and incorporate the corrections from other staff members. The reason why this assignment had to be completed because the Division is giving a presentation to a committee on today. Through my skills of manipulating PowerPoint, God has blessed me to complete the assignment in time for today's presentation. If truth were told, God has given each of you an assignment that is due. It's on you, my brother, and my sister, to complete your assignment before your time runs out. Today's text emphasizes this point.

Our main scripture for today is located in the Gospel account according to John. Within this Gospel account, Jesus was brought on the scene without mentioning any Nativity stories or denoting His lineage. John established that Jesus was in the beginning when the world was created. John does this by writing, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" and "The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst men". As the "Word" dwelt among flesh, He performed many miracles and healed many people. Within Chapter 9, He is on the scene healing and dealing with the mouths of the Pharisees. As Jesus was healing, He made a critical point that drives us to today's topic.

He begins the text by saying, "I must work the works of Him that sent Me while it is day." In other words, Jesus said He must complete His assignment. Jesus knew that He had ministering to do, He knew that He had healing to do, He knew that He had a death to endure, He knew that He had to rise again, but He also knew that He had to do it in the appointed time set by His Father! Brothers and sisters, God has set some great assignments inside of you, He has set some great skills and gifts inside of you; however, you are sitting on these gifts! You are sitting on your talents and what God is asking of you on today is to complete your assignment while there's time to do so!

Jesus presses the point of completing His assignment through the conclusion of the text. He says, "the night cometh, when no man can work". As we continue to work for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, there will be a night time down the road! There will come a season where the opportunity to work will be stopped. My prayer for you and for me, is that when the season of "night" comes, our work will be complete and the Father will be pleased.

In closing, suppose Jesus did not complete His assignment on Earth, where would you be and where would I be? I know the answer: NOT AROUND! If our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ took time to complete His assignment, worked the work while it was day, why are we not doing the same? Let's focus on working the works He has placed in us! Let's focus on completing our assignments!

“Your Tears Count for Something”

Scripture: "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." -Psalms 126:5, NIV

If truth were told, each and everyone has been spanked or hit with something by our parents, grandparents, or someone who was in charge of us. One thing that comes automatically with being spanked or hit is tears. Some of our mothers (mine included) would not stop spanking you until you started crying. Afterwards, they would tell you to dry your face. As we have raised our children, some cry because they were spanked, some cry because we have yelled at them inadvertently. At the end of the day, they were crying and just like our parents told us, we tell them to dry their face. As adults, we cry as well and it is not because we have been spanked by anyone, but because of the way life has hurt us or dealt us a mighty blow. Though we were told to dry up our tears, there's someone who collects our tears and that's our Heavenly Father. There have been times and seasons in your life where you thought your tears did not mean anything, but I have great news for you on today, your tears do count for something! Today's text provides further clarity what your tears count for.

Today's focus scripture is found in the Poetic book of Psalms. Psalms is the longest book in the Old Testament, as well as the Bible, with 150 chapters. It contains various authors from named authors like David, Asaph, and Moses to unnamed authors. This particular psalm, Psalms 126, is considered a song of ascents. Within this song of ascents, the Lord spoke to the author about the worth of your tears.

The author begins today's scripture by saying, "Those who sow in tears". As I stated in the introduction, many of us cried throughout our respective childhoods and we have definitely cried during our adult lives as well. We have cried for our children to act right. We have cried for our spouses to do right. We have cried for our parents to be well and healthy. We have cried because we desired a job and haven't received one. We have cried for our church because of what the enemy was doing to it. At the end of the day, we have all sown some tears. We have sown them in our bathrooms, in our bedrooms, on our drives or Metro rides or bus rides, in our respective homes, and even within the inside of us where no one can hear us cry except God. As I also told you in the introduction, God wants you to know that He has captured those tears and that those tears count for something!

This statement can be made because the author concluded today's text by saying those who sow in tears "will reap with songs of joy". Ladies and gentlemen, because of the tears you have sown, you will reap the joy of happiness! You will reap the harvest of a job! You will reap the harvest of a happy marriage! You will reap the harvest of a happy home with your children! You will reap the harvest of a church back on the move for Christ! You will reap the harvest of not being alone! You will reap the harvest of great finances! As my pastor back in Greensboro, NC would say, this would happen to you because it's the consequential nature of God. What meant to have hurt you, God will turn it around and use it for your good (Romans 8:28). When God has bottled up all of the tears you have cried, look out because there's a rain coming full of blessings because you persevered, because you kept the faith, because you knew that God can do ALL things and help you to make it!

In closing, tears for the most part, denotes sadness or hurt within a person. At times, tears are shedded when they are happy as well. Whatever your tears are about on today, PLEASE KNOW that as you have sown your tears, He will bless you with joy and a joyful song to sing! If you have not received your joy yet, give it time because it's coming!

“He Will Keep You in Line”

Scripture: "But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you." -John 14:26, Amplified Bible

One position that I have a tremendous amount of respect for in the world today are secretaries or administrative assistants. These people serve their supervisors in a great way. They keep up with their supervisor's phone calls and important messages, they keep up with their supervisor's travel schedules, and they constantly remind their supervisors of their meeting schedule. Those of you who sit in a managerial position can attest to the blessing of the secretary or administrative assistant. Ultimately, they are the types of people who keep their supervisors and others in line. In the Kingdom of God, it is on us, as fellow believers, to keep one another in line. In other words, it's on us to keep one another accountable. However, Jesus promised His disciples and us on today that there was someone He was leaving to keep us in line. Today's text reveals who that person/entity is.

Today's main scripture is located in the second longest book of the Gospel accounts, the Gospel according to John. Of the four Gospel accounts, John writes his account differently from Matthew, Mark, and Luke in the sense that Jesus' existence was established at the beginning of time. In addition, in John 2, the author begins to tell about Jesus' first miracle at Cana as He turned water into wine at a wedding. In today's focal chapter, Chapter 14, Jesus begins to let the disciples know that His time is at hand. As Jesus was doing this, He comforted them, allowed them to understand that He, Jesus, is the way to the Father, and the promise of the someone who will keep you in line.

Jesus begins this text by saying, "But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name …". The someone or entity that keeps you and me in line is the Holy Spirit. The Amplified Bible emphasizes just how much the Holy Spirit will keep you in line. It allows us to see that He will be our counselor. In other words, when you are clueless about things, the Holy Spirit is there to counsel you to provide clarity to your situation. The Holy Spirit is also your helper. When you are in need of help, the Holy Spirit is right there, wanting and waiting to help you. He also serves as an intercessor and advocate. Have you ever felt like you had no one to speak on your behalf? Have you had anyone that stepped up and brought your prayers before the Father? If the answer to both of these is no, then the Father blessed you with the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf and speak on your behalf. Lastly, the Holy Spirit provides strength to you and me, along with being a standby. He's there in the clutch to help you, guide you, and keep you! Aren’t you glad that the Holy Spirit resides in you?

Not only will the Holy Spirit be your comforter, counselor, helper, intercessor, advocate, strengthener, and standby, but He is also your teacher. Jesus told His disciples that "He will teach you all things". Ladies and gentlemen, there are some things in life where you cannot GOOGLE it to receive an answer. In turn, you turn to the Holy Spirit that He may be Google when you need to know how to do something. Lastly, the Holy Spirit serves as your reminder of things. Jesus told the disciples that "And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you". Many of us will say that our conscious told us not to do X or not to do Y, but it was not your conscious! It was the Holy Spirit, sent by your Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ, who told you do not do X or do not do Y. There have been times where you were about to make a life-changing decision, but the Holy Spirit directed you and told you otherwise! There have been times where you were ready to cuss someone out, but the Holy Spirit reminded you of what Jesus told you through His Word!

In closing, you must respect and appreciate the efforts of secretaries or administrative assistants around your office. They keep your supervisors in line and there are times where they keep you in line. Spiritually, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to keep you and me in line. Not only does He keep us in line, but He provides comfort, help, counsel, intercession, advocation, strength, recall and the ability to teach. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to keep you in line? If so, your life will be 100 times better!

“No Excuses”

Scripture: "Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." -Exodus 4:10 - 12, NIV

If truth were told, each one of us have given someone an excuse. If you told someone you did not complete a task due to a circumstance or the fact you lacked time, that's an excuse. If you told someone that you did not call them on a birthday because you were so busy, that, my friends is an excuse. If you told a friend that you were coming to their house and because of something you did not, that’s an excuse. Within the Kingdom of God, our Father does not tolerate our excuses. He looks at it as this: disobedience. On today, the Father wants to encourage you to stop having excuses for not excelling in His Kingdom like you should! Some of you out there are profound preachers, but your excuse is that I do not know His Word like I should. Some of you out there are profound writers, but because of life's circumstances, that's your excuse to stop writing. Some of you are great encouragers, but your excuse is that no one encourages you, so why encourage them. God is tired of excuses, ladies and gentlemen! He is ready to receive you, broken and everything, to be used for His Glory! Today's text provides us with a great example of one who had excuses.

Our devotional setting for today is located in the second book of the Old Testament and the Law Books, Exodus. This book, along with the first five within the Old Testament, was authored by Moses. In the third chapter, Moses experienced a theopany (where God appears to humankind in some form) when he heard God through a burning bush that did not burn/consume the area it surrounded. Within this particular chapter, God and Moses are continuing their conversation from Chapter 3. God has shown Moses His power through Moses's rod turning into a snake, turning Moses's body from healthy to leprous and back to healthy in the same light. These things were done as mechanisms that Moses could show Pharaoh that he is representing the true and living God. However, like most of us, Moses had some other excuses. Let's learn more about his excuses and what God had to say about it.

Moses lets God know that "I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue". In other words, Moses had a stuttering problem. If truth were told, we know how embarrassing stuttering can be amongst your peers, co-workers, family, and friends. Within my own life, I actually took speech courses from K to 5 because of my slowness in speech, but at the end of the day, God blessed my efforts because I went through that journey and I know that I'm a lot better than what I was back then. If truth were told, many of us are not eloquent in some areas, tongue-tied in other areas, but God is still there to work with you and manifest His glory through you! With this being said, we find that Moses's excuse was his stuttering problem. What did God have to say?

He says, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say". Ladies and gentlemen, God does not care about our lame excuses! All He desires is that we would be willing vessels to take on His will for our lives! In the case of Moses and his stuttering problem, God was letting him know that He would help Moses with his speaking and give him the words to say. When it comes to getting out of debt, there are no excuses! God will give or send you the tools and teach you what to do to get out of debt! When you are trying to complete an assignment, there are no excuses! God will help or send you what you need to complete your assignment! When you are trying to lose weight, there are no excuses! God will help you to lose it by guiding you in your eating habits and letting you know when to leave food and stuff alone! When you are teaching/preaching God's Word, there are no excuses because He will give you the Word to preach/teach and the way you should attack the message/teaching. God is not concerned about your hang-ups because He has the hookup! He is not concerned about what you cannot do, but He is concerned that you are willing to step up and try!

In closing, Moses eventually went on to do what God called him to do, but God sent Aaron, Moses's brother, along with him for the journey. God will equip you with what you need to make it in life and be successful! He will equip you with the right people, the right tools, and most importantly, Him! Aren't you tired of giving God your excuses? If so, walk into your season of fulfillment and leave excuses at the back door!

“You Are Now Free!”

Scripture: "Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away." -Nahum 1:13, NIV

Within our beloved United States, February is deemed Black History Month. Within this month, we take time to celebrate the struggles and successes of the African-American race over the past four-plus centuries. One of the greatest successes of the African-American race was obtaining freedom. Back in the days of the U.S. Constitution, the African-American race was counted as 3/5 of a person towards the census and from there on, slave revolts took place, abolitionist movements kicked in, the Underground Railroad under Harriet Tubman led slaves to freedom in the North, and the eventual passing of the Emancipation Proclamation that freed slaves everywhere on January 1, 1863. After this event took place, the fight continued on through the Jim Crow South and the works of great leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, Sr., Stokley Carmichael, Rosa Parks, and others. As we live in our country today, under the regime of President Barack Obama, we, as a people, continue to exercise our freedom and yet fight for it in various arenas. Just as we have obtained freedom and walk in freedom, God wants you to do the same spiritually! He wants to speak to your Spirit on today that "You are now free!" How can we make such a bold proclamation? Let's examine today's text.

Our main scripture of the day can be found in the book of Nahum, one of the twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament. According to my research, Nahum wrote this book between 663 and 612 B.C. The purpose of the book of Nahum was to let the people of God in Judah know to not be in despair because God has announced judgment and that the Assyrians would be getting "their just desserts" for messing with His people. As this introductory chapter was written, its intent was to display God's anger against Nineveh. However, within His rage, God provided us some clarity to let us know that He wants you and I to know that you are now free.

Nahum writes in the first part of the text from God's mouth that "Now I will break their yoke from your neck". For those of you who grew up on or around a farm, a yoke was used around the necks of oxen in order for them to pull a load. Ladies and gentlemen, many of us on today have yokes around our necks. It may be the yoke of insecurity, the yoke of loneliness, the yoke of depression, the yoke of disappointment, the yoke of not being loved, the yoke of feeling mistreated, the yoke of being misunderstood, but God says to you on today that I will break your yoke from your neck! He is ready to loose your yoke so that you may look Heavenward and give Him praise and tell Him Thank You for freeing you!

Lastly, Nahum conveys that you are now free because God also tells him that He will "tear your shackles away". One of the best songs of the late 90's in the Gospel arena was Mary Mary's "Shackles". They told you that when God took the shackles off their feet, they were able to dance and give Him praise! Ladies and gentlemen, many of us have shackles on our feet. As God is ready to take the yoke off of your neck, He is also ready to tear the shackles off of your feet! He realizes that when you are free, you can give Him praise! When you are free, you can operate in what He has placed in your soul! When you are free, you do not care about the world and what they say! When you are free, you fight the enemy and let him know that no weapon formed against thee shall prosper! When you are free, you let your problems/situations know that whom the Son has set free, He is free indeed! When you are free, you can make the naysayers quiet and God will make them your footstools! When you are free, you will be able to rise above the situations of life! Let God take away your shackles so you can be free!

In closing, I bless God for our ancestors and fore parents who have fought the good fight of faith and graced us with freedom. This freedom allows us to watch movies in a theater, it allows us to eat lunch and/or dinner at five-star restaurants without going in the back door, it allows us to vote and give our ballots, and other things. Just as we are naturally free, God has spoken spiritual freedom into your atmosphere! He will break the yoke off of your neck and tear away the shackles! Wherever you are, you ought to praise God because He has given you your freedom!

"You Can Do It"

Scripture: "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." -Philippians 4:13, Amplified Bible

As the Lord has brought us into the month of February, I am reminded of the greatest upset I ever witnessed in the sport of boxing. Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson, the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and known as the "baddest man on the planet", took a fight in Tokyo, Japan against the unheralded challenger, James "Buster" Douglas. Douglas came into the fight with a huge burden on his heart through the passing of his mother and having a huge chip on his shoulder because he was a 42-1 underdog. Within Douglas's mind and heart, he knew that he can upset Mike Tyson. If you were to listen to the interviews before the fight, Douglas told reporters that he would become the new heavyweight champ. Lo and behold, the fight takes place and after 10 rounds of action, Jimmy Lennon, Jr., the ring announcer said, "The winner and new undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, James Buster Douglas!" Through Douglas's example, he broke the invincibility of Mike Tyson and Tyson was never the same afterwards. Just as Douglas believed he could upset Mike Tyson, God has placed some things within your Spirit that says, "You can do it!" How do you know you can do it? Today's main scripture will empower you along these lines.

Today's devotional is in the epistle written by Paul to the church at Philippi. As Paul was writing this concluding chapter of Philippians, he exhorted or praised the people there in Philippi, he thanked them for their gifts, and he delivered some final greetings. Within Paul's thanksgiving of the church at Philippi's gifts, we are blessed to find today's main scripture, one that lets you know that you can do it whatever "it" is.

The Amplified Bible begins this familiar scripture by saying, "I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me". In other words, you ought to take five seconds right now, wherever you are and say, _________________ (your name) have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me. When you have been empowered by someone or something, it gives you power, it gives you endurance, it gives you strength. Look who is giving His strength to you: Jesus Christ. He's giving you the strength to tell the enemy no! He's giving you the strength to destroy anything that impedes your progress in life! He's giving you the anointing to preach the wounded and brokenhearted! He's giving you the strength to love those who despitefully use you! He has empowered you, ladies and gentlemen, with His strength to do ALL things! Stop saying you cannot do anything because in all actuality, you can do it!

The scripture continues in the Amplified Bible by saying, "I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me". My Father God, that ought to make you leap on the inside! When you have the strength of Jesus Christ, nothing can hold you down! No one can stop you from achieving greatness here on Earth! The only person that can stop you is you! One thing that God has blessed me with is a confidence to talk with higher level managers and others without fretting or anything. Why? It's because of the inner strength He has infused in me! Just as He has infused me with inner strength, you too, have inner strength! You have inner strength to deal with your marital issues! You have inner strength to make your finances get in line! You have inner strength to love your enemies! You have inner strength to get the job you deserve! You have inner strength to preach with the best of them! You have the inner strength to lose weight! Whatever you want to do, know that God says, You can do it and that you're ready for anything and equal to anything because of Him!

The text concludes by saying yet another powerful statement: "I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency!" Wow! God has granted you an opportunity and a blessing to be self-sufficient in Him! You don't have to be sufficient in man's eyes, but be sufficient in God's eyes and He'll turn the heart of man around! When you off to do something for the Lord, believe in the confidence, the "swag" He has given you, and know that NO ONE dictates your sufficiency. God through His Son Jesus Christ, dictates your sufficiency! He lets you know on today, when He has empowered you, that you are self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency!

In closing, Buster Douglas was definitely the longest shot to win the heavyweight crown, but because of his self-belief, he did it! There are many of you on today that God has blessed knockout power in! Today, He calls for you to put up your dukes and deliver the knockout blow to the enemy! He says this through His Apostle Paul by letting you and I know that we possess the strength for all things in Christ who empowers us. If you believe that on today, stop moping and groping and go get what's yours! Through Christ and His power, whatever "it" is, YOU CAN DO IT!