Give Thanks

Word

Psalm 92:1-2 NKJV says "It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night."

In these hard economical times many people have experienced the loss of jobs, homes, assets and most touching, family members.

Many are crying out and some have grown cold and miserable. But how about the people who know their God? Have you been crying out as well? What is your posture in these times?

Are you being thankful in all things?

Recently I shared a dream with a family member and he responded "please dream that I win the lottery." It was funny but still a concern. My response to him was to be thankful to God in all things.

The world today is designed for people to look higher than they can climb and become sightless to the many blessings already provided. Some might say "I am thankful" but is it really thankfulness or, in contrast, saying " I wish I had more!"

Have you lost a job in this time? Have you had a salary cut? Did you lose a home? Whatever your concerns may be, your ultimate Provider is still on the throne. His name is Jesus. Has He not been doing it in the past? What can stop Him now? He wants to do it even more in this season. Being thankful in all things and in all situations is His requirement of us.

Word

Philippians 4:19 NKJV says: "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Reminder:

Do not bow down to what you can see, lift all your needs to Him. He is available in every way you can think of.

Therefore, do not be shaken by situations because God is surely not shaken. Do not allow them to weigh you down. Look at the many ways you can see His mighty hand in your life. God is honoured when we are thankful. Wait for it, He will never be late.

Prayer:

Dear loving faithful God, thank You for supplying all my need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Help me to always be mindful of Your provision, giving thanks in all things that even when I don't have what I think I need my heart is ever grateful to You because You are faithful. Help me to always see Your mighty hand at work in my life in Jesus’ name I pray, with thanksgiving. Amen.

Word

Mathew 6:25-26 NKJV says “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

Devotional by: Necole Cummins

Deal Wisely

Testimony:

One day there was a situation involving my bosses and me in which I felt they hadn't treated me fairly. I felt betrayed and deceived by them. This situation was so disturbing that I lost sleep for two nights. However, the more I prayed the better I felt. A few days later I felt led to go into deeper prayer about it and God gave me release in my mind. However, a few weeks later while at work, the situation started to linger in my mind again. I started to feel upset all over again. On that particular day, I didn’t feel like giving my fullest performance at work, I thought “ how can people be so deceptive and naive?” But as I sat in my chair, I said “God, how do you want me to be today?” He replied “Act Wisely.”

Then the Holy Spirit reminded me about David when he was being treated unfairly by King Saul. God didn’t change the situation but He delivered me from the bondage of it as I became obedient to His command.

King David is a great example of how we can act wisely during difficult situations in our lives.

He behaved himself wisely in the midst of unfairness. When his enemy King Saul wanted to slay him because of jealousy, David, even though he knew Saul no longer appreciated him, still behaved wisely before the King. He didn't go after Saul to retaliate even though he had a few opportunities to do so. He touched not the Lord's anointed, which was Saul.

Like David, we can choose to conduct ourselves wisely in the midst of unforeseen circumstances and God will come through for us. Nothing surprises God. Even when your enemies are planning, He sees their plans. But we have to abide under His shadow and be steadfast; there will be an appointed time of victory for us. Don't touch, don't dispute, don't hate, allow God to fight for you. God will slay your enemies.

In your work places with your bosses or work colleagues, with your neighbours, whomever may be causing you distress, don't wish them bad. Deal wisely with them. Let God fight for you. Allow God to take the lead in your battles and you will see, like Jehoshaphat and the Israelites, that you will not have to fight in this battle.

Let us choose to be wise and conduct ourselves as knowing Who has the victory and Who will come through for us.

David did not yield himself to the flesh. He didn't give in to his feelings and emotions. He didn't give in to anger and frustration because he knew Who fought for him before and Who would do it again on his behalf. So, he yielded himself to God. The Most High God. The Great and Terrible God Who wars on our behalf. Let us then act like David and know that we are the Lord's children...

In the book of Psalm 139 the writer says “He is acquainted with all of our ways.” That means He knows whatever you are going through and He will come through for you.

Prayer:

Dear Father, I know that I am not alone in any situation that I face. Just like Jesus was with the disciples in the boat amidst the storm, I know You are with me in every situation that I face. Please help me to totally rely on You for strength and grace to overcome, being still knowing that You are God. I love You Father and I thank You. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.

Psalm 91: 1 NLT Version ". Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

Written by: Necole Cummins

You Are Going Somewhere

This morning we are remembering King David in the book of 1st Samuel before he became king. David was the last of his father’s children and the least favoured by his dad. His brothers were being elevated by his dad, while he (David) stayed in the field alone, working hard and keeping watch over the animals.

God will place you in the wilderness to bring out in you what man cannot see with the physical eyes.

His brothers had it going for them because in the eyes of man they were well built (stature), men of war, seemingly knowledgeable, all of the outer appearances that catch the attention of people. But even when it seemed like David was not all of the above (like his brothers) to man, not even to his own father, he was more than that to God.

God knows what He has placed inside of you and if you allow Him, He will bring out a masterpiece.

Remember:

Do not allow the opinions of man to determine your destiny. God is your Destiny Helper. When everyone is getting ahead and you feel forgotten, remember GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU!!!

David’s time of being anointed as king had come, yet there was still work to be done. He stayed in the wilderness until God said it was time.

When God says it is your time, then it is your time. So, stay humble in the wilderness. Stay connected in the wilderness, stay focused in the wilderness, stay faithful to God in the wilderness.

Yes, David might have felt like you’re feeling today: forgotten, discouraged, saying “everyone is getting ahead and I am going nowhere.” No, you are going somewhere. Look back and see where you were and where you are now. Yes sister, you are going somewhere. Yes brother, you are going somewhere. You are going somewhere.

Philippians 1:6 NLT says “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Yes, God will complete His work in your life.

I am not only encouraging you today but myself also….

Love you sisters and brothers. Hold on to God because He is faithful.

Prayer:

Dear Loving, Heavenly Father, I thank You that Your plans are greater than mine and man’s. Thank You that You have begun an amazing work in my life and at your appointed time, You will use what You have placed in me for Your own glory. Help me to focus, not on what You are doing in other’s lives, but what You are doing in mine and to rejoice in You. Thank You Lord that You are ever faithful and You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Bible reading: 1 Samuel 16:7

Devotional by: Necole Cummins