Working through Lunch

What drives U? Motivates U? Sustains U? Jesus revealed 2 his disciples, when they couldn't understand his skipping lunch, that his driving motivation was the will of God ( John 4:34). Too often we think of Christianity as a set of beliefs only. But following Christ requires active obedience. What about U? Are U striving to finish the great purpose God has 4 U?

Lived to Tell...

This morning I had the pleasure of reading Genesis 32:22-32. Here we find the story of Jacob (whose name means "manipulator") as he wrestles with God until daybreak. I have, in the past, focused on Jacob's words: "I will not let you go until you bless me." Today, however,I was struck by two new insights:

1. I WANT EVIDENCE OF MY ENCOUNTER WITH THE LORD! Jacob walked away (or limped...perhaps) because his hip had become disjointed while wrestling with God. I understand that Jacob's name was changed to Israel. However, to have a limp is evidence of an encounter with God. Jacob would have to tell people his new name, but a limp people could see from a distance. What is it about my experience with God, or your experience with God, that speaks to the evidence of our encounter with God? Can people tell that we have encountered the Lord from the way we "walk."

2. GOD ALLOWED ME TO LIVE TO TELL! Here is Jacob, wrestling with God all night long. The truth is that God could have struck Jacob dead. Certainly, God could have won any fight....God is THE Heavy Weight Campion of the world. Yet, the Lord allowed Jacob to live so that he might tell about his encounter. God delivers us thought trials and tribulations. God gives us a testimony to His goodness, faithfulness and love every time we experience deliverance. If God has allowed us to live through something difficult, tragic or frighting...then I think he has allowed us to "Live to Tell." Tell people about what the Lord has done for you. How has God blessed you? How has God delivered you? How has God made ways out of no way? If the Lord lets us live...than we certainly have a testimony. Let us act like it.

Peace and blessings,

Rev. Courtney Clayon Jenkins

Be The Prayer Your Praying For...

When Jesus taught the disciples 2 pray 1 thing he said was "forgive us our sins as we forgive everyone who sins against us"(Lk 11:4). What are you asking God for & are you giving it away to others? If you want forgiveness, give forgiveness..want love, give love..want a chance, give someone a chance..want to be blessed, be a blessing. If you are asking God to answer your prayers than let God use you to answer a prayer.
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Are you the answer to His prayers...

Isa 56:7 God says: "I will let them rejoice in My house of prayer." In Hebrew that last phrase, literally reads, "the house of My prayer." Therefore, the Temple may be viewed as God's very own place of worship and the place where God goes to pray. God prays? Yes, God prays. So then, we pray to God to answer our prayers, but I wonder if we are the answer to His prayers? How many unanswered prayers of God do I/you/we represent?


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Tongues For Life

Proverbs 18:21 says "Life and death is in the power of the tongue." There are lots of tongues out there...ya know? When people speak death over you, remember you still have a tongue. Speak life over yourself. Even in moments of low self-esteem (we all have them) when we cannot speak life over ourselves remember Jesus had a tongues and he can ALWAYS speak life over you, your circumstance or situation.
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No Matter How Long Or Short The Night...

Another hard biblical truth. You know psalm 30:5 says, "weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning." We must all endure the night. No one can escape the night. For some of us the night is short and for other the night sure is long. BUT no matter how short or how long the night for each of us joy is promised in the morning. Joy is on the way.
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Give What You Want

Give what you want! (It sounds crazy right.) "Give, and it will be given to you...For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (LK 6:38) The honest truth is that God wants us to 1st give what we want. If you want love, 1st give love. If you want support, 1st give support. If you want $, first give $. PAY IT FORWARD by being/giving what you want out of this life.
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