 John 15:2 “Every branch in me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.” ~CSB
Yolanda and I moved into our home in 2006. It was a brand-new home and with it came new vegetation to enhance the beauty of the home. Now in this beginning stage, the bushes and the tree planted in the front yard, were new and the fullness of their appearance had not yet fully developed. Each season I would trim the hedges of the branches that were growing faster than the other branches. This pruning made room for other branches to grow and fill in the spaces. Eventually, the bushes and the tree became full and rich in appearance. Our home benefited from this beauty. Blessings that are our inherited gifts from God work in that same way. In order to receive the blessings God has for us, there are traits within ourselves that need to be ‘pruned’. This is why we have trials and challenges in our lives. These challenges, if we see them through and endure, will allow us to become stronger and wiser. God will take what has troubled you and transform it into the blueprint of what is needed to receive, maintain and distribute your ‘custom made’ blessing. Unlike those times when you were not in the word of God and you wondered why your blessings come and go; now you will have the wisdom to hold on to these blessings because what kept you from holding on to those blessings has now been ‘pruned’ through those sufferings you’ve endured. In addition to maintaining these blessings, you now have the strength and wisdom to receive more blessings as God wants you to live abundantly. 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.” ~CSB Every good work! Live your life in the direction God created you to go and the blessings will continue to come. Consider the trials of this world an opportunity to ‘prune’ your spiritual ‘hedge’ so that you will be complete and lacking nothing when you receive the blessings God has just for you. May God keep you in His strength and wisdom as you journey on your path in the name of His one and only Son Jesus Christ. Amen
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2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” ~CSB
There were times in my life when I remember taking too much. It was a time where the world taught me, ‘Don’t let anybody talk down to you!’ The world instilled in me that if there was an audience around, and someone insulted me, I’d better snap back as fast as I could with the first thing that came to my mind. I remember doing that one day when I was young. Another kid tried to insult me. I snapped back. Verbally I hit him hard and made him look really bad. I had won that battle but I didn’t stop. I kept on and the other young man was really hurt and embarrassed. I remember saying some things about his home life, his mother; just things that hit below the belt. And those words I can never take back. In my spiritual state today, seeking forgiveness is in my heart for things like that because I was wrong. I was taught wrong. Now it is time to unlearn what the world has taught us. How do we do that? How do we learn how to position ourselves for our transformation, so that we can move on as godly Christians? By immersing ourselves in God’s Word. We must first surround ourselves with godly people who can help us become familiar with God’s Word. So that we may apply His Word to our lives. The text says in 2nd Timothy that, “All Scripture is inspired by God…” If we need to unlearn what the world has taught us, we must allow the Word of God to “...Teach…” us new ways; “...Rebuke…” our dark spirits, attitudes and actions; and “...Correct…” our perspectives and way of thinking. This will be our, (as the text continues), “...training in righteousness, so that…” we, “...may be complete, and equipped for every good work.” May God bless and keep you in His teachings as you continue your journey in Jesus’ name. Amen  Proverbs 4:20-22 “My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. 21 Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to one's whole body.” ~CSB
Have you ever witnessed a situation or an action made by someone, and your mind immediately takes you back to a scene in a movie? Or maybe you remember a quote from a book you’ve read? You didn’t memorize the quote or the movie scene, but all of a sudden, that quote or scene comes back to you. For you to remember it so vividly, the scene must have been funny, sad or heartfelt. This particular scene or quote stayed in your heart, so when the similar situation in real life presented itself, what you had in your heart from that movie or book, reappeared in your memory. This is the way God’s Word is. When you read scripture, and the Word touches you, meaning: you receive what God is giving you, and you allow those seeds to plant in your heart, you will find that you don’t have to memorize it. When the situation comes, when the opportunity for a miracle presents itself, the key to unlocking your blessing will be the Holy Spirit bringing out the Word of God in you at the right time. That Word that’s already seeded in you from what you have read and received. His Word of instruction, His Word of comfort and healing, His Word of prosperity, grace, and peace, will overflow from your heart and bring to mind His desire for you at that moment. This is how God’s Word works. We cannot be the Christians we need to be and were created to be, without it. The Word has done His job, we need to do ours in order to become aware of our instructions. God says, “...pay attention to my words…” Listen to what God is telling you, not what you ‘think’ He is saying. When He says in His Word, “For they are life to those who find them…” This is where the Holy Spirit takes what you have read and received, then brings it out at the right times in your life. In a great relationship with God, you will be able to receive the information He provides to be the best Christian He created you to be. Don’t worry about remembering. When you receive His Word as a gift from Him, and "...keep them within your heart…”, that Word will bring you life and will be forever in you. And it will be ready for the Holy Spirit to use in you, at the right time. May God bless and keep you as you journey in Jesus’ name. Amen |
Authors Billy & YolandaThis is the place where we share our heart through God's Word in faith that will inspire and empower you to live in peace. Archives
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