Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened by religious rituals that provide no peace, and I will give you rest refreshing your souls with salvation. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me following Me as My disciple, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest renewal, blessed quiet for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear and My burden is light.”

As you read the scripture above, you may be thinking to yourself, “what in the world is a yoke?” No, Jesus is not talking about a part of an egg. In fact, it has nothing to do with them. The yoke in the reference above refers to a wooden stick that binds two animals together to carry a heavy load. This enables them to work together to get the job done. Have you ever felt like you were carrying the weight of the world upon your shoulders? Those burdens can be very heavy at times. You may even feel like you’re fighting the battle all alone. But, I’m here to tell you that carrying those burdens on your own is an impossible task. Believe me, I know. I’ve tried it and it doesn’t work.

We weren’t designed to bear any kind of burden. It only makes us tired and weary and even frustrated. You may feel like you can handle your problems yourself. You may even have the overwhelming desire to worry about the situation and even try to fix it yourself. But, all your efforts would be fruitless and would only succeed in making your life miserable.

There is a better way! Jesus tells us how in the above Scripture. Do you want a full and peaceful life? Do you want to walk with a spring in your step and a gentle breeze blowing across your face? Well, you can! Quit trying to bear the burden yourself and let the yoke of Jesus do the work for you. When you do, even though the problem is still there, it won’t be heavy anymore. Give Him the burden and you take all the rest and refreshing. He’s a big God and can handle the problems that seem big to us. That weight is very light for Him to carry.

Keep in mind that we were never designed to carry the burden, but to rest in Him. So, quit worrying and cast your care on Him {1 Peter 5:7). He’s the Burden Bearer and is well able to take care of you, your circumstances, and those around you. So, the next time you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, just quote the Scripture above. Take up His yoke and let Him do the rest. The results will be life changing. I guarantee!

 

Mark 11:23-24 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart in God’s unlimited power, but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him in accordance with God’s will. For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer in accordance with God’s will, believe with confident trust that you have received them, and they will be given to you.

This Scripture is a very familiar passage to many Christians, especially if you learned under Kenneth Hagin’s ministry. It is a foundational word that we can base our faith upon. Notice that Jesus tells us “……to say to this mountain……”. This requires us to do something in order for the mountain to move. Faith just doesn’t happen because we are born again. We have to speak it out of our mouth.

There are many things that can represent a “mountain” in our life. Your mountain may be financial, physical, emotional, mental, or all of the above. You may see your mountain in front of you on a daily basis, but it’s not going to go away on its’ own. Ignoring it or wishing it to go away is not going to change the fact that the so called “mountain” exist. Complaining about it, telling others it exist, or even telling God about your “mountain” is not going to change your situation.

The only way to make your “mountain” disappear is to speak to it. Telling others about it will not change it. Telling God about it will not change it. It’s time to stand up and tell that “mountain” how big your God is! Tell that financial debt it has to go because you’ve given your tithe to the church and god promises you increase. Speak to your body and tell it to be made whole because by the stripes of Jesus you are healed. Claim salvation for your family because the Bible says you will be saved and your household. The more you speak to the “mountain”, the smaller it will become. Before you know it, that big old “mountain” will look like a tiny little ant hill. When that happens, step on it and squash it!

Now, that’s how you get the God kind of faith to work for you. But, it will only happen when you speak it out of your mouth. So, meditate on the scripture above. Get in the Word and find out what God says about your situation. Before you know it, your faith will grow stronger and stronger and you will become a Mountain Squasher who is able to tackle any problem that stands in your way!

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My perfect peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.

One day, I was listening to Joyce Meyer speak. She touched on this Scripture on peace and made a point which has resonated in my Spirit. She stated that God had already given us His peace. We don’t have to try to get it. It’s already inside of us. You see, up to the point I heard this Word, I was struggling inside. I didn’t feel that inner peace. Once I discovered it was already there, an amazing calm came over me that I’ve never felt before. For the first time in my life, I was completely at peace. It didn’t seem to matter what circumstances were around me, I was at rest.

I made a decision that I would remain in this wonderful life of peace that God had revealed to me. Now, I would like to tell you that I’ve gained a great victory and there are no more struggles. My super spiritual attitude has conquered the world. But, that’s not what happened. Over the past week, I’ve had several situations come my way that I did not handle very well. Yes, I failed the peace test.

But, though I failed. I will not give up! God’s peace is still there. I just need to let it rise to the surface of all the turmoil around me and remain there. Will I fail again? Probably. But, I’ll get up, dust myself off and try again. You see, we have an adversary, the devil, who wants to steal our peace. That sly old fox will send that person across your path that gets on your nerves, a car pulls out in front of you, the cashier is too slow at the grocery store, or the restaurant got your order wrong. Not only that, but the world system we live in is against us, too. We seem to get every red light when we’re in a hurry, the webpage we want to view is too slow to load, the price of gas is too high, or we hate the ones in public office.

There are many things that can steal our peace. So, would you mind taking a challenge with me? Let’s make up our minds that we are going to live a life of peace. No matter how aggravating our job may get, how irritating that family member can be, or how frustrating technology can be, let’s decide to remain in the peace God has given us. How can we do this? By meditating the Scripture above. When you feel that uneasiness rise up in you, just quote John 14:27. It’s not going to be easy at first. It will be a tough battle. You may even fail a time or two like I have. But, each time you win the fight, it gets easier and easier. I’m looking forward to the day where all the aggravation of this world and the tricks of the devil become minor irritations, instead of major obstacles in my life. As you walk out this life of peace you’ll draw closer to God and I guarantee others will see a change you as well!

1 Corinthians 12:14-27 For the human body does not consist of one part, but of many limbs and organs. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But now as things really are, God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit with the best balance of function. If they all were a single organ, where would the rest of the body be? But now as things really are there are many parts different limbs and organs, but a single body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are absolutely necessary; and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the whole body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, so that there would be no division or discord in the body that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it. Now you collectively are Christ’s body, and individually you are members of it each with his own special purpose and function.

As you can see from the Scripture above, all believers are a part of the body of Christ. That makes each one of us unique and special in the eyes of God. He strategically placed each and every one of us in the position that would reach the most people for His glory. That means that you are in the right family; no matter how dysfunctional it is, the right job; no matter how raunchy the circumstances may be, and even the right church; no matter how small or big it may be. God has a very special plan and purpose laid out just for you! He is calling out to His body, “Parts Wanted!” The question is, are you going to answer the call?

Some of us are called to be Pastors, evangelists, teachers, or missionaries. But, this world would not be complete if that were all the “parts”. There are many other positions out there that are just as important’ plumbers, electricians, doctors, lawyers, sales associates, and the list goes on and on. Every “part” is important! You have a job to do for God right where you are. Even children have there “part” to play as well. Just as we don’t always see what each “part” is accomplishing, doesn’t make it insignificant. You don’t walk around in this world seeing each person’s lungs, but we no each person has them because we’re all breathing.

You may not know what your “part” is right now, but that’s okay. Just ask God to show you and He will. Until then, keep doing what you’re doing. Your smile today might change a life tomorrow. Just be a willing vessel and answer God’s call – parts wanted – by answering, “Here I am Lord! I want to be a part!” You’ll be pleasantly surprised of the things God will accomplish through your life as you do. Now get out there and be a “part” of the body of Christ the way He created you to be!

As we embark on our journey in the year 2017, many of us have made resolutions in various areas of our lives. Some of these decisions may include losing weight, eating healthier, quitting a bad habit, living the right way, and even drawing closer to God. How many of us have already broken or even forgotten about those resolutions we made on January 1 and the months not even over yet! Well I have news for you. Without a very strong determination to fulfill those promises we make to ourselves, many of us are destined to fail. We quickly go back to our old routine and live the same lifestyle we’ve done in the past. What if I told you that there is a way to fulfill those resolutions and live the best life you’ve ever lived? Well, there is a way!

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses to tell people about Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”

There is a power For living we can tap into that will enable us to do that which we can’t do on our own. After salvation, we can receive a very special gift called the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place, and suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed among them, and they rested on each one of them as each person received the Holy Spirit. And they were all filled that is, diffused throughout their being with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues different languages, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out clearly and appropriately.

On the day of Pentecost two thousand years ago, 120 people in an upper room received this power For living that is still available to us today. In fact, if you don’t already have this gift, it is very simple to receive. Begin to pray and ask God to fill you with everything He has for you. Just lift your hands and begin to praise God for the gift of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. His power will begin to flood your spirit and flow out of your mouth. I pray, in Jesus name that you receive all God has for you! Now thank Him for the power For living He has given you and go forth and fulfill the destiny He has for you in 2017!

We’ve all experienced a thunderstorm in our life at one time or another. The wind, the rain, thunder, and lightning can all be intense at times. For the most part, with the accuracy of weather these days, we can plan on being inside when the storm hits. But, what about those unexpected pop up storms? The ones that happen while we are out and about conducting our daily lives? Such a a situation happened with the disciples one day.

Mark 4:35-39 On that same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.” So leaving the crowd, they took Him with them, just as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him. And a fierce windstorm began to blow, and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, asleep with His head on the sailor’s leather cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?” And He got up and sternly rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still muzzled!” And the wind died down as if it had grown weary and there was at once a great calm a perfect peacefulness.

As you can see in the scripture above, Jesus and His disciples were out in the middle of a storm. Notice that Jesus told them they were going to the other side and He went to sleep. Jesus was at peace knowing that what He said would come to pass. We are to follow His example. No matter what storms may come our way, God will see us through. Whatever God has promised you according to His Word, He will bring it to pass. Instead of looking at the circumstances around you, simply rest in the promise that He will get you there. God has a perfect plan for your life. Yes, there may be storms along the way, but God is not disturbed by the storm and He is right there in the same “boat” with you. So, instead of fretting and being fearful about your “storm”, just sit back, rest in Him and before you know it, you’ll be “on the other side” of the promise He has for you.

You may have heard the song by Elvis Pressley entitled ” True Love Travels On A Gravel Road.” The lyrics depict how love can be rough at times, but true love always last through the “ups” and the “downs” that life throws at it. Love always finds a way to make things work out for the best. It’s not always easy loving those around us. There always seems to be “bumps” in the road along the way. The greatest example of true love ever known is that of Jesus Christ. He came to Earth because of His great love for us. His life wasn’t always an easy one. His Gravel road consisted of a stinky bed in a barn at birth to an old rugged cross at His death. No matter what situation or circumstance crossed His path, He was always willing to show true love to those around Him. His love would always find a way to make things work out. As believers in Christ, we should be willing to travel that same road.

Philippians 2:1-5 Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ as there certainly is in abundance, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship that we share in the Spirit, if there is any great depth of affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love toward one another, knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit through factional motives, or strife, but with an attitude of humility being neither arrogant nor self-righteous, regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus look to Him as your example in selfless humility,

In the scripture above, we can see this concept represented. Paul tells us to be living examples of Christ. We are to be a reflection of His true love towards us. That means that we travel a gravel road just as He did. While our road may not begin in a barn or end on a cross, it isn’t always paved with the best of circumstances. Life can throw some crazy “bumps” in the road. Just as Jesus faced some unloveable people on this Earth, not everyone we meet along the way will be easy to love. But, if we are to shine the true love of Christ, then we must be willing to love the way He loves. So, as you gather with friends and family this holiday season, remember that “True Love Travels On A Gravel Road. Merry Christmas!

We’ve all been to a fast food restaurant where we’ve been asked the question, “Would you like to upsize your order?” For a few pennies more you can get a larger drink and fries. We all like to get more for our money. So, chances are that we will opt to upsize. It’s an advertising gimmick that many fast food restaurants started to generate more money for their company based on greed rather than generosity. But, they are not the originators of the upsize factor, God is! However, His motivation is based on generosity rather than greed.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams, according to His power that is at work within us,

You see, God not only wants us to have an abundant life, He also wants us to have a super abundant life! What God is asking us is, “Would you like to upsize your order?” That means we have more than what we need. He wants us to have more than enough. God not only gives us healing, He also gives us health. He not only wants us to have joy, but also fullness of joy. He not only wants us to be prosperous financially, He also wants us to be prosperous in every area of our life. Our God is offering us the upsize factor because of His great love for us. There is no up charge, He paid it all at Calvary. It’s up to us to receive it. We don’t have to live with what life throws at us. We can have more than just the basic salvation package. We can live an abundant life.

Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us so much that He died for us.

In the scripture above, it says that we’re more than conquerors! That doesn’t mean that we win by the skin of our teeth where the score is 24 child of God and 23 everything else, but rather an obvious win where the score is 100 child of God and 0 everything else. That’s amazing! Anything that is not of God doesn’t have a chance to even score, unless we let it. So, go ahead. Be bold and live the abundant life of overcoming victories and upsize today!

Galatians 4:4-7 But when in God’s plan the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the regulations of the Law, so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we who believe might be adopted as sons as God’s children with all rights as fully grown members of a family. And because you really are His sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave bond-servant, but a son; and if a son, then also an heir through the gracious act of God through Christ.

It’s that time of year again where our focus is turned towards the holiday season and family. In a couple of days, many will gather around the table in their homes or a local restaurant to celebrate Thanksgiving. Family members may travel across town or across the country for this special occasion. It is a time of gathering to be thankful for that which is around us; thankful for a loving family, jobs, health, and life. While all of this is good and important, let’s not forget the greatest family member of all, our Heavenly Father. He sent His Son, Jesus, so we can experience this holiday season to begin with.

You see, our family ties go much deeper than flesh and blood. We have an eternal tie in the spirit realm. Our Heavenly Father will travel any distance to meet with us. He would love to sit down at our table and spend time with us. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins, so we can be free from eternal death. We’re part of the family! We can be comfortable in His presence. We can ask for that “second helping” of whatever we need according to His Word. We can be thankful for the family and friends that He has placed in our lives. We can be thankful for the abundance of joy He has given us. We can share the memories of all He’s done for us. He’s our Father!

During this holiday season, enjoy the turkey. Enjoy your time with friends and family. Celebrate the season and make some new memories. But, above all, remember who created it all and include your Heavenly Father in all you do because He loves you and wants to be a part of your life. You’re His family!

If you are like me, you love a good movie or television episode involving time travel. The usual plot is to correct something that has gone wrong or to make it better. While we don’t experience time travel in the physical realm, we often revisit the past with our thoughts, both good and bad. Unlike those time travel shows, however, we can do nothing to change our past, relive a pleasant memory, or change a bad decision we made when we were younger. Paul says it best in scripture.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the heavenly prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

You see, Paul tells us to focus on what lies ahead. That means that we are to look at the future God has planned for us! Too many times we travel back in time at the “what if”‘s, the “should have”‘s, and the “life was better back then”‘s. But if we focus on these things, then our eyes are no longer focused on Christ and what He has for us, but rather on ourselves. God has great things in store for us!

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.

So, let’s use the time travel technology of our thought life and see the things God has for us. While we can’t change the past, we can shape our future! How do we do this? Through speaking the Word. Paul tells us that Abraham did this.

Romans 4:17-18 as it is written in Scripture, “I have made you a father of many nations” in the sight of Him in whom he believed, that is, God who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope Abraham believed that he would become a father of many nations, as he had been promised by God: “So numberless shall your descendants be.”

So, it is possible to shape your future! I’m not talking about a bunch of kooky mambo jumbo. I’m talking about a life based on the Word of God. Your future is filled with healing and health because the Bible says, “by His stripes you are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Your future is filled with prosperity because the Bible says, “God shall supply all your needs by His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Your future is filled with joy because the Bible says, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Your future is filled with peace because the Bible says, “my (Jesus) peace I leave with you” (John 14:27). Your future is filled with all the good things that God promises in His Word. Therefore, be a time traveler to the future things God has in store for you by focusing on the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ. I guarantee that He will take you places that you’ve never been before!