REFERENCE:

You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:34)

THOUGHTS:

Have you ever traveled to a foreign or distant land? When arriving, did you adapt quickly or did it take some adjusting? I am sure we can recall some point in our lives, when we felt out of place or as if we did not belong. Even if we did not have that experience, we were all born into a world unknown. The world in which we live, has been in existence for a very long time. We have not always been apart of it. We came to know it after being accepted and adjusting to the system that was put in place by our forefathers. Have we forgotten what it’s like to be isolated due to unforeseen circumstances? In the same regard, God loves us and has accepted us as his own to those who believe in Him. He too was rejected and hated by many but had to endure for the sake of the world to set us free. Now that we are no longer slaves, we  are also not in bondage. If we are free in Him, why isolate or hold someone else in captivity? Today especially, I challenge you to free yourself in God as well as others. For those who are in Him, are all foreigners passing through and waiting to enter eternal life. This is not our final destination. 

REFERENCE:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.( Isaiah 43:2)

THOUGHTS:

Have you ever been consumed by actual flood waters? If so, how did you escape? Was it too much to bear? Was there an action plan? Have you ever imagined what it would be like if you were completely taken out by a tremendous and tumultuous wave of water? In the same respect, life does that to us occasionally. Life has a way of using waters to rise and test our faith. Have you considered anyone that would come to your rescue had the waters overtaken you? Many times we do not have the opportunity or chance to do so because life can bring about such challenges that we lose focus. However, we have direct access while being in the presence of God. If we dial 911 for emergency, he will be on the other end waiting for your call to deliver us from the complexities of life’s storm. Today, I challenge you to discard the deflated raft in your life. For we have a Savior that does not require the use of any flotation devices because His grace is more than sufficient. 

REFERENCE:

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.(James 4:8)

THOUGHTS: 

If you were close to anything other than God, then what is it? If we are distant from a thing, is God involved? What measures would you take to seek the goodness of His glory? Are we so far away that we cannot hear or see what he has for us? What relationships do you have that are of no value whatsoever? Do we know what it means to draw close? Today, I challenge you to change your relationship status to, “devoted child of God”. When we do so, everything in and around us makes a shift towards something greater.

REFERENCE: 

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.( 1 John 5:4) 

THOUGHTS:

The winning circle is for winners only. If you are trying to win and defeat everything on your own, it will never happen. However, if you continue running the race, you will finish with faith. Not only finish but also be the most victorious in it. This is because you have decided to put God in the front of every lap that you encounter. Today, I challenge you to see the victory in all things because he is behind the steering wheel of life. Remove yourself completely from the driver seat to avoid any collisions. 

REFERENCE:

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

THOUGHTS: 

Who or what has become your master? Do  we indulge in love or hate? Whatever and whoever we devote our time to, dictates our path. Love and hate are never contained in the same ingredients. If so, it will be very unhealthy to consume and digest. For one cannot satisfy the other. Today, I challenge you to change your taste buds for the love of God the Almighty. The ingredients contained in hate, proves to be an unfruitful and destructive end. 

REFERENCE:

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 1:19-20)

THOUGHTS:

When we obey, we submit. When we submit, we come under authority. Is it the same authority as submitting to man rather than God? Mankind can supply the temporary benefits of this time but they are just “temporary”. It is by far a blessing to receive the full benefits as compensation when working a full time position. However, are we willing to put in a full days work as it relates to the things of God and His kingdom? The reward is nothing compared to that of the  temporal compensation of this world. His benefits package is eternal and not everyone has access. When we enter into the contract of salvation, we become permanent staff  members of the Kingdom. Our duty is to serve Him and solicit salvation for his glory. Part time work results in part time compensation. We cannot expect the full manifestation of his blessings on a part time “when I feel like” schedule. Today, I challenge you to terminate your part time position in the flesh and work full time in the spirit. 

REFERENCE:

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

THOUGHTS:

Why do we walk and contend with the things of this age that have no beneficial outcome? Do we recognize how destructive it can be when we allow people, places and things to consume our very being? If we deposit anger, hate,strife,jealousy, unforgiveness and confusion into a bank, they will be our return of investment. The real question is, when was the last time you deposited the things of this world into an actual bank? The answer would probably be never because it is impossible to do so. In the same regard, it is impossible to benefit from this way of living. It has “0” value. Also, how can we benefit from the kingdom of God and please him? When we come up against the formalities of this present time, we have to acknowledge them but reject them in the same token. They do not possess us and we cannot allow ourselves to possess them. There is a Father in heaven that has granted us permission of His divine authority, to step over circumstances and not step into them. Sometimes, given certain circumstances, the enemy is the reflection in the mirror but we cannot allow it to take over. Today, I challenge you to utilize your God given power to eliminate any cuts and abrasions that may hinder our righteous living. 

REFERENCE: 

Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children  of man. (Psalms 66:5)

THOUGHTS:

He is awesome in power and might. Who can be compared to this? Have we found someone other than the Lord who can set free, deliver and manifest greatness in the earth? There are no substitutions or replacements for what the Lord can and will do. Every situation and circumstance is temporary but the Lord’s promises are “yes and amen.” Today, the challenge is within us to oppose anything that is not of the heavenly realm. It is up to us to reject and deny it.

REFERENCE: 

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalms 16:11)

THOUGHTS:

To be present with someone is to be constant but to be absent is to be obsolete. When we are obsolete, there is emptiness that leaves us null and void. However, to choose between the two determines our destiny. Today, I challenge you to position yourself in the complete presence of God. For He gives life and anything or anyone contrary to that pursues a life of destruction. 

REFERENCE:

Put on then, as God’s chosen, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.        (Colossians 3:12)

THOUGHTS: 

Undress your heart of all fleshly desires, malice, hate and unforgiveness. Instead, put on the garment of love which covers a multitude of any demonic forces and attacks. Today, I challenge you to love your fellow neighbor as the Lord loves us unconditionally.