Encouraging Notes

The importance of receiving specific words from God cannot be overstated! God speaks to us in many ways, sometimes directly through his Holy Spirit, sometimes through his Word, sometimes through a person, and still other times through an event or life circumstance. But when he speaks, it is so important not to take it for granted; it is your life!

Deut 32:45-47 When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you--they are your life. By them, you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

One of the greatest privileges you will ever have is recognizing and hearing the voice of God! When you hear, it is of utmost importance that you don’t take it lightly and that you immediately obey what you’ve heard! Remember, delayed obedience is disobedience. Look at the words Solomon gave to his son:

Prov 4:20-22 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart, for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Mat 4:4 In Greek, that word for proceeds is in the present tense and signifies that God is continually speaking. Think about it; words are continually coming from God’s mouth to us. Wow! How wonderful! God cares so much about you that he is continually speaking to you! Are you taking the time to listen? Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” Jn 10:27

It will take all eternity to comprehend the fullness of God’s love for you! He loves you intensely and wants to bless you far more than you want to be blessed! God greatly desires that you would know the secrets of living in his abundance in every area of your life! It is so important to take time to quiet your mind to focus on him alone so that you can hear his voice! He is in love with you and is trying to reveal to you the secrets of his kingdom! My dearest friend, it is so important to listen closely because, when God speaks, it’s not only of great importance…

IT’S YOUR LIFE!

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Many things in life are urgent, but much fewer things are necessary! Sometimes doing what’s necessary and laying aside what seems so urgent may have the appearance of carelessness, but those who let urgent things constantly distract them will live a life that’s busy but unprofitable. You’ve heard the phrase, “The tail wagging the dog.” Solid priorities keep us from busyness that steals from significance! Ultimately, doing what God has you to do will prove to be the best choice!

Luke chapter 10 records the story of an important dinner being held at Mary and Martha’s house. Martha was in her element, making and preparing food. As a hard worker, she was busy, doing her best to accommodate all the guests. On the other hand, Mary, her sister, was sitting at the feet of Jesus, mesmerized by the profound and exciting eternal truths Jesus was revealing. Martha felt like Mary was being very irresponsible and became so frustrated that she broke up the whole meeting to get Jesus to make her sister come and help. What Jesus said to Martha, in response, was profound – take a look!

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

We must prioritize our lives by putting “1st things 1st, 2nd things 2nd, and 3rd things 3rd! One of Jesus’ most famous and important instructions for the church was, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Mt 6:33

It is easy to wake up in the morning and get busy doing everything that seems so urgent when what is most necessary is our time with God. Oh, how important it is that we hear his voice every day! When we put God first, the things we need the most for our life will chase us instead of us chasing them.

The enemy is always trying to get us so busy that we don’t have time for what gives us strength. Isaiah said, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. Isa 40:28–31

This beautiful chorus, written by Larnelle Harris, says it so clearly. The song is written with God as the one speaking. Maybe you can hear God speaking to you?

“I miss my time with you, those moments together

I need to be with you each day, and it hurts Me when you say

You’re too busy – busy trying to serve Me

But how can you serve Me when your spirits empty

There’s a longing in My heart wanting more than just a part of you

It’s true; I miss My time with you.”

Putting God first in your day is the quickest way to prosperity in every area of your life! May you be inspired today to make sitting at Jesus’ feet your highest priority! Don’t let the enemy fool you into being caught up with all those “seemingly” urgent things that steal what is most important for your life! As I pray for you today, I pray that you will heed this sweet call of God to your heart and determine to do it Mary did…

CHOOSE WHAT IS BETTER

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As a whole, we tend to shy away from hard things; therefore, we typically take the path of least resistance. This can be good in some ways because it is the cause of many new inventions and innovations. Though there is a benefit to finding ways to make things better, only those who have mastered the lifestyle of doing hard things will make those innovations and inventions come to fruition. Since the fall of man, the only way to have true gain is through pain. Just as a seed must go into the ground and die if it will bear fruit, so there will always be a death process for us to experience true increase.

Jesus had to face a lot of rejection and had to endure a lot of pain so that you and I could benefit from a better way. I pray that you will let this Scripture speak to your heart.

Heb 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission

Do you think Jesus was offering up loud cries and tears as a religious ritual to impress God, or was he in a trial so big that he needed God’s help? I often wonder if Jesus, as God, had to pray so passionately; what about us? How come most of the prayers we hear our so pious and passionless? If Jesus needed to pray like that, how much more us!

The Scripture goes on to say that God heard Jesus’ prayers because of his reverent submission. I wonder how many prayers go unanswered because of irreverence and unsubmission to God?

Another mind-boggling thought is that Jesus, even though he was God, had to learn obedience through what he suffered. It was only after going through a perfecting process that he was able to become the source of salvation for all who would believe and obey.

Heb 5:8-9 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Wow! It wasn’t easy for Jesus! Yes – Jesus went through real trials and real pain! Jesus did not take the path of least resistance; he was willing to do whatever it took to carry out his purpose.

Could it be that the trials you’re facing are part of the training that God has allowed for you to be made perfect? Is it possible that God wants you to learn the life of powerful and passionate prayer? Is it possible that God wants you to learn to walk by faith so that you genuinely trust God no matter what you face? Was it worth it for Jesus to go through all he went through? Without a doubt! His reward was the reconciliation of all humanity to God!

Wow! I pray that God is speaking to you as much as he is speaking to me today! Do you have a whatever-it-takes mentality? Do you have a never say die spirit when it comes to trusting God and doing his will? Are you willing to learn obedience through the trials you are facing? My prayer for you today is that you would, like Jesus, be willing to trust God enough to do whatever it takes because, like Jesus, the reward will be…

WORTH IT ALL!

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What would you think if you were in a boat on a lake in the middle of the night and someone came walking towards you on the water? Yes, that would freak me out too! One night Jesus came walking on water towards the boat his disciples were in and they were terrified. This story is powerful because it has keys to the success of your future that God wants to reveal to you.

Mat 14:26-28 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.

As in this situation, the way God will show up in your life will not always be what you expect. When you feel afraid and are not sure if everything will be all right, what should you do? Peter knew what to do – he listened to the voice of the One who was coming towards him. He knew that it was Jesus; why? Because he recognized his voice. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Jn 10:27 When you’re facing uncertain times in your life, be very careful to listen closely for the voice of God! It is his instructions spoken to your spirit that will be the key to your breakthrough!

Peter said to Jesus, “If it is you, tell me to come to you on the water. And Jesus said, “Come.”

Wow! Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water, just like Jesus! He defied all human reasoning and the natural laws of gravity and conquered the impossible! He walked on top of what could have drowned him because of his faith in and focus on Jesus. How did Peter do this? He heard, believed, and acted upon the voice of Jesus.

At times, you and I face trials that seem scary and look like they could drown us? This is when we need to operate in the keys that caused Peter to do the impossible. One key that is sometimes missed is that obedience wasn’t all that was necessary for Peter’s success; he also had to have his eyes fully fixed on Jesus! As long as Peter’s eyes were fixed on Jesus, he continued to conquer the impossible, but when he began to look at the wind and the waves around him, he began to sink. There will undoubtedly be times in life when you feel surrounded by the winds and waves. During those times, you must determine to keep your eyes on Jesus, not on the problems!

What Peter did to launch out and conquer the impossible is what God wants from you today. Like Peter, you must hear God’s voice, believe it, act decisively and keep your eyes fully on the Lord. I can assure you that God is looking for those through whom he can reveal his glory – Is that you? I pray that these words would challenge your heart and cause you to, like Peter, leave the usual and…

STEP INTO THE SUPERNATURAL

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God’s children – Who are they? What is a telltale sign of those who are indeed God’s kids? Look at what Jesus said about this.

Matthew 12:46-50 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, and “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Those who claimed to be the followers of Jesus were not necessarily the ones he considered his followers; it was the ones who were doing his will. Jesus said in another place, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46 You’ve heard the saying, “talk is cheap.” We must be those who do the will of God.

So, what is the will of God? How can we know what God’s will is? Some people during Jesus’ day had the same question. They came to Jesus and asked him a question saying, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:28-29

Jesus distilled all the works of the law into a single work – believe! Yes, my dear friend, genuine Christianity is only possible by those who believe. The purpose of believing God is to be filled with all that he is, and the entirety of who God is can be summed up in the word love! Those who have genuine faith in Christ are those who become filled with his love! Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 NLT

Don’t ever be deceived by those who quote a lot of Scripture but don’t walk in the love of God! This is a self-centered religion that is far from God! Walking in the love of God requires genuine surrender to and trust in God’s love! Full acceptance of God’s provision for righteousness through Jesus Christ is full acceptance of God’s immense love! The ability to live a life of love towards others directly results from believing and receiving God’s love. Love does not come from our efforts; it comes from God.

1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

This is why the writer of Hebrews wrote: “And without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Intimacy with God is what causes a person to be filled with the love of God. Apostle Paul wrote, “The love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 5:5 A Christianity steeped in intimacy with the Holy Spirit is a Christianity abounding in the power of God’s love! The agent of God’s power and love is the Holy Spirit, but prayer and God’s word are the medium through which he works.

As we discussed above, when the people came to Jesus and asked him how to do all the works God requires, Jesus simplified it to a single work – believe! The faith that God is looking for is not something someone does in a moment, but it is a lifestyle. Genuine Christianity is about living your entire existence in his presence! Faith is what causes all the righteous acts of God to flow through us. Everything that God wants you to do can be summed up in the word love.

Who are those who are God’s children? It is those who do God’s will. What is God’s will – it is to believe. What does believing accomplish? It causes a person to be filled with love. Yes! It is genuine faith in God and a life of love that is a telltale sign of those who are indeed…

GOD’S CHILDREN?

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In a me-first world, Jesus taught that the way up is the way down. The most extraordinary people that have ever graced the face of this earth are those who lived as servants and gave their lives for the benefit of others! Jesus said, “He who is the greatest among you will be the servant of all.” Matthew 23:11 Therefore, the greatest among us are those who take the low road of servanthood. Apostle Peter said, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” 1Peter 5:5b-6

Living for self is the opposite of the ways of God. True fulfillment is found in serving others. A life of self is full of pride and does not access the grace of God. Apostle James said, “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

The world is teaching us to focus on self, love ourselves, look out for ourselves, and above all, put ourselves first. On the other hand, Jesus taught us to deny ourselves and honor others above ourselves. Apostle Paul wrote a precious letter to his spiritual son, Timothy. He told him that the first mark of the terrible times of the last days would be that people would be lovers of themselves. Take a look.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

The fruit of living for self is all kinds of evil. The fruit of being filled with God’s love is the ability to empower others. A person who is a lover of self is a selfish person. The love of God, on the other hand, is selfless, always putting others first. Our world is filled with bitterness, anger, and strife because of the self-centered nature of the carnal man. In contrast, the life of God empowers people to live devoted to one another in love and to honor others above themselves. Rom 12:10

Jesus told us that anyone who wanted to be great would have to first become the servant of all. Mark 9:35 According to Jesus, it is the way I serve my wife, children, and those around me that determines the greatness of my life. One of the ways I can gauge my Christianity is to assess whether my focus is on serving those around me or how they serve me. What a difference this would make him our world!

Oh, that the love of God would overcome us! I feel as if I can hear a beckoning call from God to the body of Christ. He is calling us to humble ourselves to live as his servants of love so that the world can experience what true greatness is! Oh, my dear friend, it’s time to go higher! God is calling us to greatness! Yes! He is calling us to the highest life, the life of being the servant of all! Think about it – according to Jesus; there’s one thing you can know for certain…

THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN

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