faith – Page 15 – Transformed at the WELL Devotional Ministry

Good Morning Sunshine! The Last Shall Be First And The First Shall Be Last!

Matthew 20:16 NKJV ~ “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

In today’s culture, people are defined by their social and financial status! If you have a lot, you are first and if you have little then you are last! But what did Jesus mean about this in the Bible? Jesus said that the lonely, the poor and the sick will be the first to in Heaven. Do you think it is because they lack the distractions that the successful person has, such as money and a tad bit of too much pride to go with it? People are taught to focus on worldly success to such an extent that if our majors do not equal financial success, they are dismissed. Just because you have more than somebody else does not mean that you are going to Heaven first! You need to check yourself!

Matthew 20:16, “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

Matthew 19:30, “But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.”

Mark 10:31, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Luke 13:30 NKJV, “And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”

As you can see in three of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, they are telling you to be mindful of always wanting to be first! Sometimes you just need to learn how to tarry, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but a the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry! Habakkuk 2:3! and wait on the Lord! “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 NIV!

As the Gospels have stated at some point or another you have just been focused on being first! Even after hearing what God says, you are still contemplating wanting to be first and not last! No one wants to be last! You want to be first at the store, first in line, or even first to church, (or do you want to be the last to come, so that you can be the first to leave?) but why? Ecclesiastes 9:11 NKJV – “The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong” Ecclesiastes 9:11a), What was your motive? What is your heart’s desire? Does it really serve you a purpose to be first? What did you accomplish? Only you can answer these questions for you. Just a little nugget to help you, perception is how you see yourself and perspective is how you view everyone else because of how you see you! Are we trying to be first for your own gain or image?

God said the last will first, and the first last, in Matthew 20:16, but He said something very important after that, He said, “for many are called, but few are chosen.” Which one are you? Did you call yourself to it or did God handpick you and choose you for it? If you picked you, I would step down until He chooses you! When you are trying to be first, is it for others to see you? To see what you are doing, (and as you say, it’s for God, but you are enjoying that spotlight aren’t you?) If you are doing it for God, He will reward you and others will see it without you making a sound! I just want you to know that God your thoughts, your motives your reasons and He knows and sees your every move. You might fool people, but you will never ever be able to fool God!

Most people believe being first means being fast, but the race that you are running doesn’t call for you to be first or fast, you are just called to run your race and run it for God. Hebrews 12:1. As a matter of fact the prize you want isn’t the one that man made, you want the one God made, for it will not rust or tarnish, it’s an eternal prize, with benefits from your Father! 1 Corinthians 9:25! Those who are humble and followers of Jesus will make great sacrifices for the gospel and sometimes you have to be willing to go last! God’s ways are equal and equally gracious, and you should be humble and thankful for that kind of grace!

Yes, are on borrowed time but God wants you to take your time and understand that being last is okay. This race calls for you to be steadfast in your faith and in His Word. It’s time for you to focus on what God called you to do and not on how fast you will get it done or if you will finish first because there is always something that God needs you to do. God wants you to enjoy your moments, smell the flowers along the way, check out a sunrise and a sunset, take in and give a smile, this will encourage your heart along the way!

Have you ever been to a track meet, you’ll see the person in last place never stops running, never changes lanes, and never slows down. Instead, they pace themselves, keep their heads up, and keep running until they reach the finish line. You see when you learn how to pace yourself in your race this happens to you and for you, Romans 5:3-5 NIV, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Don’t worry about what someone else is doing in their lane, stay in yours and focus. It may take you two years to complete your assignment and take someone 2 months to complete their assignment, it doesn’t matter when everything is done for the Kingdom of God and His Glory! It will all be just fine. You just keep running and going until God says it’s over and pace yourself for the course that He has set in front of you. Set your pace and find your lane and stay in it!

Think about this the next time that you are trying to hurry up and be first, let me tell you what these scriptures actually mean, those who are considered to be first in this life will receive condemnation in the afterlife, while those who are considered to be last will receive a great reward in heaven! Which one do you really want?

Let’s Pray:
Father, thank You! Thank You for building up my character in You! Thank You for the vigor and stamina to run my race and to run it with You in mind. Father Thank You! Father, I praise Your Holy Name, Thank You for saving me when I was lost. Thank You! Thank You for setting my path and pace in place to see You. Teach me how to run with endurance and resilience to move past everything that would try to hinder or derail me. Father, You are backbone of my success and I’m grateful to You for everything! Father, I’m blessing Your Name on my good days and on my challenging days, for I know that this too is a part of my race! Thank You for my waiting period, teaching me how to tarry and wait on You as I watch and walk carefully. Father help me to be patient and to not want to always be first! Help me to be conscious and consistent and let others go before me today! Father grow me in every area of my life. Thank You for pouring out Your love on me in this race call life, I’m pacing myself today and I’m okay with not being first, just as long as I know that I have a home with You, for I was chosen by You! Father, I choose to run my race with Heaven on my mind, my eternal prize! In the Name of Jesus Christ! Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! You Are Above And Not Beneath!

Deuteronomy 28:12-13 NKJV ~ “The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. [13] And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.”

Let’s look at this version: Deuteronomy 28:11-13 Voice ~ “The Eternal will give you more than enough of every good thing-children, cattle, and crops-as you live on the ground He promised your ancestors He’d give you. [12] He will open up the reservoirs of water in the sky and make the rainy seasons come each year, so that everything you do will be blessed. Your produce will be so abundant that you’ll lend to many nations, but you won’t have to borrow from any. [13] He will make you the head, not the tail; you’ll always be on top and never on the bottom-if you’ll just listen to the commands I’m giving you today from the Eternal your God, and obey them carefully.” I love how verse 12 describes the blessings, “it will be a reservoir of blessings!

This scripture is standard for you as a believer, and it provides you with an opportunity to walk in limitless possibilities! Since you belong to God you should expect to be at the top. Not sometimes, but always! Stop expecting the worst based on what your natural eyes are showing you and start seeking and excepting more! Say it to yourself that you are seeing and believing in a victory and that you are on top in everything, always because God is with you!

There is purpose for God wanting you to be on top, to be above only and not beneath. The only and the most important reason is that Jesus Christ paid the highest price ever to break the curse and give you an easy yoke and a light burden. Matthew 11:30)! You see when you were born again, God appointed you to this position, to be the lender and not the borrower, the head and not the tail, to be on top and never at the bottom! Are you screaming Glory Hallelujah right now? This is a praiseworthy moment!

You are going to be well and not sick, prosperous and not in lack because at the Name that is above every name has delivered you and set you above and not beneath. Now walk and talk accordingly! For life and death is in your mouth and today I declare that you speak life over you and your family, Proverbs 18:21! Remember this, according to the Word of God, your position that was established in Heaven overrides your condition on earth! Walk, Live and Speak accordingly!

I know everything above sounds great, but there is one thing that you have to do, you have to do your part and that is to pay attention to the commands of the God and choose this day to follow them with your whole heart and you will not be at the bottom but on top, Deuteronomy 28:13, NIV!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! Today, I decree that these blessings will run after me and overtake me. I receive by faith Your good provision, Your blessing upon my work, my family and my ministry, I will experience favor and promotion because of the love of God and my position that God established for me before I was born! I am the lender and not the borrower, the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. Thank You God! In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! God Is Calling You Out To Bless You!

Joshua 1:9 NKJV ~ “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

What’s on God’s heart for you today? Know this, whatever it is, when God calls you, God equips you. I’m going to say it again, when God calls you, He equips you. And the best thing about it, is He equips you with it Himself! God is calling you out! Jesus will call you out to bless you, yeah, I know that the route He chose was not your first choice and it probably wasn’t your second or third one either, but it’s the one that leads to your blessings! So, in hindsight, it’s exactly what you needed!

Every parent knows the sound of their kids yelling out for help, you know each one individually and you don’t get them mixed up! A mother knows her children! I’m sure if you have children, you could set your watch by who’s going to call you and when and you will even know what they want to. And sometimes the outcome is not what they are looking for, but as the parent you know what is best, so that’s what you do!

Guess what your Father is the exact same way, even better! He knows all of His children, one by one and He never gets you mixed up with anyone else. Your Father knows the sound of your voice and your whisper too! He can even distinguish between your cry and your moan and groan, as each one signals a different need that you have!

But nevertheless, He responds to you! And since this is true, why do you make calling out to your Daddy your last resort? Is it because you don’t want to your part of what He is asking, you do have to do your part in order for things to work out. Whatever it is, something happens when you are called out by God! When you learn how to see, God can respond to you to what and how you see.

This is how you will know that God is calling you out, God will answer you, but the thing to know is that His answer will not look like your answer, because He Knows what’s best and you only know what your flesh wants, these two are not in alignment, God is going to take the high road! “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me.” Psalm 17:6!

God will save and rescue you, even from you. He promises to save you from spiritual death and into move you into an abundant life, which is your sure foundation, beginning and the end, He wants a relationship with you and not a happenstance meeting. of his saving relationship with us. “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” God will use whatever He has to draw you closer to Him!

So many times, you walk away from God, because you don’t like the waiting process! You want everything in a hurry! You base it all on your feelings, well I want to inform you that your feelings are lying to you! Don’t go off of what you feel, go on what you know God said! Does God feel distant to you? Call on him. He will draw close. Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is close to all who call on him…” The truth is that closeness with God is a direct result of you calling out to Him in prayer and you sitting still and waiting on His response back to you! This is how you bring Him you, the deepest, most vulnerable part of you, this is your transparent moment, and it has nothing to do with your feelings!

God wants to transform you in the calling, and the way to experience your best life possible is when you are consistent with Him, for this is how He changes you, you go from you to Him. You are being changed into His image, you are being made Holy and New by calling on Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:2-3, “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: [3] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

God wants to bless you abundantly and this is why He’s calling you out to be set apart! You can’t have your new in your old place. It’s time to move, God is calling you to do a brand-new thing that you have never done before. It may not even make sense to you. Don’t panic, pray, God has already put it on the inside of you, just like He did for Joshua. You see God called Joshua to do something risky, something others may have thought was crazy, taking down the mighty walls of Jericho that had stood unmovable for years. But God encouraged Him and He is doing the same thing for you!

You have to be in the position and that place is your dependency on God His posture is one of abundance. When you lean on Him and trust Him, His desire is to richly bless you and to do good things for you. “For you, O Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5! Now since you are in the right position and posture God will reveal things unto her through His Holy Spirit. God is going to fill you with all wisdom and knowledge so that you will know exactly what you need to be doing. When you call on God He will open up His resources for you so that you can make good and right choices every time, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3!

When God created you, He knew that the world needed you today with your unique gifts and skills. He knew that there were things that needed to be done in this world that only you can do. God is calling you today to be a living witness to the life of faith. God is calling you to life of obedience and faithful trust in every situation and in every way. God is calling you today to use the talents He blessed you with, to bless others right where you are. God’s call on your life is on purpose, for His call on your life is for you to be you and to bring Glory to His Name!

Today, God is calling you out today to bless you in your something new! Rest in His Presence and His Peace is sure to follow you. Take the first step and God got you and the rest! God will see you through all of your fears, watch God push through as He shows up and show off. For just as God promised Joshua, that He would be there, He’s going to be there for you too, after all it is Him that’s calling you out in the first place! God will be with you and wherever you go.

Let’s Pray:

Thank You Father! Thank You for calling me into Your new and exciting things. Thank You for knowing me so intimately that You know all my fears. As You call me to step out in courage today, continue to remind me that You are with me no matter what. Father, I know that You will never leave me, and I Thank You for equipping me with what You blessed me to do. Father I trust that in You and I’m going to obey You in all things for I know that You will do what You promised, and I will do my part! In Jesus Christ Name. Amen!

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean

Brace Yourself Part 2

Good Morning Sunshine! Brace Yourself, For What God Is Getting Ready To Do Since He Has Shaken You!

Ephesians 2:10 ~ “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

To God Be The Glory! You Survived the Shaking! By the Grace of God and You Made It! God not only brought you through the valley, but He caused you to grow victoriously in it and you are coming out of with stronger and deeper roots, now you are stable!

If you are still not sure about what’s next in your future, and you want to know what God is going to do next for you, just look around and remember what He’s already done for you in the past! This should encourage and excite you about your future! See yourself in the future, for things look so much better from God’s perspective! Say to yourself that you are expecting your miracle, and your miracle is expecting you! For God said it in His Word, “Behold, I will do a new thing; and now it shall spring forth!…” this is your refresher, no more waiting, get ready for Suddenly, for God is on the move in you and for you!

You are about to experience a season that won’t change with the seasons! Get Ready for your next open door, that God has opened and reserved just for you! Do you know what the word “Reserved” means? It means to keep for future use, or to make pre-determined arrangements to be kept for the use of a particular person, and that person is you! God has some blessings that are reserved just for you, ask Him for what you want today and believe in Him to do it! May your will align with His Will for you!

Do you realize God wants to do amazing things in you every day? (Then Joshua told the people, ‘Purify yourselves for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you.'” Joshua 3:5). If you are reading this, God has blessed you with a brand new day, and a new page in your book call life, so get up and join in the production that God has provided for you, as you have the supporting role in His story and you need follow His instructions, everything you need can be found in The Book, The Bible, meditate on the instructions day and night my friend, for you are the only that can fulfill the role of you, (Joshua 1:8)!

God has said what He wants to do for you, it’s a new thing for you! So, look at God and not your current circumstances, know and believe that the God you serve promised you a new day and He does not lie about what He says! “So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 AMP); “God is not like you, He tells no lies! He doesn’t change His mind! And when He says something, He does it! And when He makes a promise, He keeps it” (Numbers 23:19 AMP)!

Brace yourself for what Jesus is getting ready to do in your life! Be encouraged as you prepare for the change and transformation in your life. Trust and embrace God’s plans for you, even if the path ahead seems uncertain; it’s a call to open up your heart to receive His blessings and to cooperate with His work in your life! See yourself doing these things below!

Expect the Unexpected: God works in ways that you cannot fully comprehend, so be ready to be blessed and the new opportunities for it may not look like you want but it is what God wants. Get ready for a fresh start and a new direction!

Embrace the Transformation: Be open to change and personal growth, recognizing that Jesus wants to refine your character and bring you closer to His image!

Faithfully Prepare: Actively seek God through prayer, studying scripture, and aligning your actions with His Will, prepare yourself to fully receive the blessings He has in store for you!

Pray: Ask God to reveal His plans for you, and to open your heart to His transforming power, and to give you the courage to embrace the changes that He is orchestrating in your life.

So, If God Said He’s About To Do Something New For You, You Better Believe It, and Brace Yourself and Get Ready to Receive It, for it has been Reserved just for you!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You God for Your Grace and Mercy! Thank You for saving me! Thank You for keeping me as I live through my seasons and shaking everything off of me that was not like You. Father I want to encounter You day by day and to embrace Your Presence. Father help me to know what I should and should not do as Your child. Thank You for filling me with a desire to mediate on Your Word, day in and day out! I’m bracing myself for the Work that You are doing in me, and I surrender my will to Your Will in fulfilling the role You have created for me. Thank You for allowing me to participate in Your story, for You didn’t have to give me one more day, but You did and I’m grateful! Today, I am going to show You how much I truly appreciate You by living a life worthy of the gift that You have given me! My heart is overflowing with humbleness just by knowing that You have saved my life for such a time as this! May others see Your Light on the inside of me and it draws them out of darkness into Your Marvelous Light and then we can walk together in the joy that You have given us as our strength! In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean
Have a Blessed Weekend

Good Morning Sunshine! Brace Yourself, A Shaking Is Taking Place In You!

“Haggai 2:6-7 NKJV ~ “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; [7] and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

Let’s talk about things being shaken; there are three things I want you to consider and get a visual while you are reading and studying the scripture today!

First, let’s look at a snow globe, when it is shaken you get to see the most beautiful picture and your imagination goes to a new place!

Secondly, let’s talk about ants in a jar, you can gently put red and black ants in a jar together and sit it down and everything will be good, but when you shake the jar, they start attacking and killing one another! The motto for them is, to kill them or die trying.”

Thirdly, let’s talk about what happens when God does the shaken. When God shakes the Heaven and Earth, the Sea and Dry Land, His treasures of all nations will come in, and the Lord will fill the house with His Glory! It’s going to happen in a little while, it’s going to be a period between the present and the predicted, and with this, a great change is going to take place! There is going to be some new construction, building brick by brick! And when this shaking take place you are going to learn how to die to your need for understanding everything. No more analyzing, you are going to have to Trust God!

This Shaking signifies the upheaval and disruption of everything that does not please God, He’s getting ready to bring about a change, where He promises to “shake all nations” and to bring greater Glory to the House! The place of ultimate riches and treasures that are to be desired by all people, is signifying the shifting, the dying to self and the restoration and renewal of your new life! As I’m writing this I heard “You have been thinking too small, think globally!”

I want you to know that God is in control of the shaking that is taking place in your life, and He will achieve His desired outcome. God is Shaking Things Up On Purpose! Embrace the change, even when you are facing challenges and disruptions, trust that God is Powerful enough to bring good out of any and all situations in your life! He wants to bring about a new season of growth and blessing in you and it can’t be done while you are weighed down with yesterday’s concerns.

God has allowed the nations to be shook up for centuries. But enough is getting to be enough! When will you realize that you have to stop sinning, repent, turn and stand up for God? You do know that the Lord is coming back real soon, don’t you? Will that last person have an opportunity to get to know Jesus before His second coming? Nobody knows this, this is why you must be ready now! Because one day, in just a little while, God’s Mighty Hand is going to come down and His glory is going to ripple across the lands and waters! But until then you better be watching and praying and listening for the sound of the winds when they start rumbling!

When you feel yourself being pulled off the shelf, don’t try to figure it out, just keep your focus on the One who has you firmly in His hand. Once secure in this trust, you can lean back and watch in wonder as the particles of your life fall where they may. Remember that you are a believer, and you will receive a kingdom that cannot and will not be shaken! God is going to fill His house with visible Glory and all the nations will know the truth and the earth will come to its knees at the feet of Jesus and His final Word will come to pass!

It is time to come together and pray, pray without ceasing and to know without a shadow of doubt that prayer changes things, something shifts and shakes in the atmosphere when prayer is going forth! God is changing you today with a shift as He enters the room, He’s filling it up with light and you will be changed, and you will feel the shake because He’s just that powerful!

Let’s Pray:
Thank You Father! Thank You for the Shaking! Father, help me to let go of the old while You are shaking me for Your Glory! Father, help me to make the changes that I need to, to set the world on fire for You. Father, help me to not be fearful but to be faithful, keep me in steady in faith as I propel forward into Your Presence! Father, I am desperate for Your truth. Help me to tear down strongholds of excuses that I built up, I don’t want anything in my way as I build a new with You, for You are my firm foundation and I’m grateful. Father, Thank You for loving me through my birthing pains, construction building, brick by brick and in guiding me as You love on me in the Shaking! All glory be unto You, God! In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! Answer The Call!

Ephesians 4:1-6 NKJV ~ “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, [2] with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, [3] endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

If you can’t say a word, live the Word, God called you to where you are! You must abide in the calling God, there is no getting away from who and what He called you to be! I know that sometimes you want to make a change to what you are doing, but the life you live, the vocation called you to, cannot change it no matter what, walk into your calling boldly today and become what God made you to be!

You were created in His image and for His purpose. You are uniquely made, you add value, insight and life to every experience that God walks you through, it’s all designed for you to share the good news about Jesus Christ. Your life was not meant to be a compared to someone else’s life or to gain or achieve other people’s approval or disapproval of who you are or what you do, but you are called to be in this moment!

When you live the life that God called you to, you will live in peace in the midst of what you are going through, you will be okay. God loves you so much! I know sometimes it may seem like you are living the same days over and over again, but you are not, you are changing into what God desires, embrace who you are in Jesus Christ! Watch and see how God uses everything that He put on the inside of you, every gift and calling in for His Glory!

Let’s Pray:
Father, Thank You! Father, Thank You for walking with me. Father, thank You for the gifts and thank You for teaching me how to walk in my calling. Father, show me the way to walk. Father, grant me to know what I ought to know; to love what I ought to love; to praise what delights you most; to value what is precious in your sight; to hate what is offensive to you. Father, help me to speak in ways that are seasoned with salt. Help me to bear with one another in love and assume the best in one another by Your Grace. Father may my life be a true reflection of how much You love to be! In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! Before You Were Called, Jesus Saw You!

John 1:43,45-51 NKJV ~ “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” [45] Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” [46] And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” [47] Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” [48] Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” [49] Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” [50] Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” [51] And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

In your day-to-day hustle and bustle it can be easy to overlook the extraordinary and think it’s the ordinary, when it’s not! Look at Nathanael and how Jesus turned this ordinary moment into an extraordinary setup for a divine encounter! Nathanael was skeptical about Jesus! Have you ever been unsure of Jesus? Sometimes it’s hard to see Jesus in the midst of your busy lives, and then other times, His Presence is crystal clear, and you can’t miss it! But guess what, He sees you all the time!

Nathanael found himself up close and personal with Jesus of Nazareth, in a face-to-face moment, and the reality of who Jesus truly was, the Son of God, and the King of kings was right in his face! He asked Jesus, How do You know me? And Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Jesus knows where you are at all times, so whether you are at home, the doctors, the airport, the beach or sitting under a shade tree, He knows!

Nathanael was a skeptic. He was probably just like you, one who organized everything, mentally and physically. You know your type. You say that there is a place for everything, and everything in its place. Nathanael was not going to be taken in by emotions or hype. He wanted to step back and studied the situation before making a decision. His friend Philip knew better than to try and sell him on anything, for Nathanael wanted to know can any good thing come out of Nazareth? His friend knew that he needed to see for himself! This is the kind of friend you need, one that will lead you to Jesus!

Nathanael asked Jesus, “how do you know me?” When Jesus replied the encounter began and the tables turned! Jesus knows! And you need to know that you know that He knows everything about you and every step that you make! This truth took place under the shade of an ordinary fig tree. Nothing fancy, but that spot became his everything! What does your perception of Jesus Christ really look like versus someone else? what do you really see when you look at Jesus Christ? All Phillip said was, come and see for yourself! Sometimes you have to go for yourself, it’s in this moment that your life can change.

Nathanael’s story shows you just how God works outside your expectations and what you actually perceive to what you really see! God invited him to meet with Him in his everyday places of living. The invitation from Philip, to come and see, was nothing compared to what Jesus did. This “Come and See” went beyond the normal into an encounter with Jesus! What were you doing when Jesus called you?

When Jesus calls you and tells you where you are at in life, will you believe in Him then! Who else knows all of your in’s and out’s besides Jesus! But our Jesus is so good, He doesn’t just stop there, He tells you because of this you will see even greater things! As you go about your day, today, remember that each one of your moments that you have been allowed hold the potential for a divine encounter with Jesus, He sees exactly where you are sitting or standing and He’s calling you to come!

It doesn’t matter if you are at work, at home, or in the marketplace, Jesus is present and is actively seeking to get acquainted with you and to have a relationship with you. Let Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus transform you and inspire you to seek Jesus with an open heart and mind and be ready to be amazed by how He will reveal Himself to you. Look for God in every situation whether big or small, look for Him.

When you walk down the street, look for the beautiful things He has made, look up and look all around and see Him in everything and everywhere you go! When you are with your friends or family, thank Him for putting them in your life. Notice Him in the small moments of life especially when you think that there’s not much to that moment, notice His Presence in that present moment and what He has done for you. He sees you and He’s calling you to come and see Him!

Let’s Pray:

Thank You Father! Father help me to see You in every part of my day, even in the places that I least expect to see. Father, open up my eyes to Your presence in the ordinary and the extraordinary moments of life. Father, Thank You for the Phillip’s in my life. Women and men who have unwavering faith and loyalty to You and who are ready and willing to respond to the call of God in their lives and to recognize that He is not only the Son of Man who died on the Cross, but the Son God who rose from the dead so that I might not perish but have everlasting life! Father, help me never to lose sight of who Jesus Christ is in my life. Father, help me never to forget that Jesus is my Redeemer, Keeper, Sustainer and Guide. Father, I want to just like Jesus, today and every day that lies ahead of me. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! How Far Will Your Testimony Go?

Mark 5:1-2,6-13,15-16,18-20 ERV ~ “Jesus and his followers went across the lake to the area where the Gerasene people lived. [2] When Jesus got out of the boat, a man came to him from the caves where the dead are buried. This man had an evil spirit living inside him. [6] While Jesus was still far away, the man saw him. He ran to Jesus and bowed down before him. [7-8] As Jesus was saying, “You evil spirit, come out of this man,” the man shouted loudly, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you in God’s name not to punish me!” [9] Then Jesus asked the man, “What is your name?” The man answered, “My name is Legion, because there are many spirits inside me.” [10] The spirits inside the man begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of that area. [11] A large herd of pigs was eating on a hill near there. [12] The evil spirits begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs. Let us go into them.” [13] So Jesus allowed them to do this. The evil spirits left the man and went into the pigs. Then the herd of pigs ran down the hill and into the lake. They were all drowned. There were about 2000 pigs in that herd. [15] They came to Jesus, and they saw the man who had the many evil spirits. He was sitting down and was wearing clothes. He was in his right mind again. When they saw this, they were afraid. [16] Those who had seen what Jesus did told the others what happened to the man who had the demons living in him. And they also told about the pigs. [18] Jesus was preparing to leave in the boat. The man who was now free from the demons begged to go with him. [19] But Jesus did not allow the man to go. He said, “Go home to your family and friends. Tell them about all that the Lord did for you. Tell them how the Lord was good to you.” [20] So the man left and told the people in the Ten Towns about the great things Jesus did for him. Everyone was amazed.”

Read and study all of Mark 5:1-20

In looking through an old notebook from 2021, I found this question along with today’s scripture, and I want to pose it to you. “How Far Will Your Testimony Go?”

Have you ever felt ashamed to be a witness for Jesus Christ to others? To tell your story, the true story of your deliverance, because you were afraid of what someone would think of you. What will you say to them? But when I read this account of the demon-possessed man from the Gerasenes, it really leaves you with no excuse! What has God delivered you from? Have you told anyone about what Jesus has done for you?

After this man had been demon possessed for most of his life, he was excited to be healed and free! Now you may not have had as many demons as this man or maybe you have had more, but thanks be unto God, you are healed and demon free today, you are clothed in your right mind! Are you rejoicing at what the Lord has done for you? Do you want to just be with Jesus Christ day in and day out? You need to tell somebody about it! After Jesus healed him and set him free all he could think about was being with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He begged Jesus to let him go with Him, but Jesus said no! He needed him to be a witness of what the Lord has done!

Jesus knew that it was far better for this man to be a witness in his home than a disciple with Him. So, when is it better to be apart from Jesus than with Jesus? When it is the Will of the Father! It was better for him to be sent away from Jesus than to remain with Him without His permission! Jesus needs you to be a mouthpiece for Him in your home, in your church, in your community and on your job. Somebody needs to see the change in you for themselves! Jesus told the free man, “Go home.” Go to your family, and then to your friends, and tell them what the Lord has done for you, how He has shown you mercy! This is to encourage you and those closest to you, for they will see with their own eyes just what the Lord has done for you! Don’t doubt the impact or importance of your influence on others! People are watching you, especially those that are close to you!

Can’t nobody tell your story like you of what the Lord has done in your life! For the demon possessed man, nobody could tell his story to his neighbors except him, anyone else would not have been qualified to share the good news with them. They needed to see him for themselves, he is healed, free and in his right mind? For those who knew him when he was in the caves and cutting himself with rocks, knew him, and now they see a a healed man and they know that it was Jesus! What Jesus did for Him was worth talking? Is what He delivered you from worth telling someone? I know He didn’t just deliver you from your sins and now you want to sit there like nothing happened! God forbids!

Somebody needs to see you and hear your testimony! You have to be a witness for the Lord in this hour! When he went to his family and his neighbors and told them what Jesus did, they were amazed at the transformation! Guess what Jesus is not asking anything more from you then what He ask this man to do! You may not be a preacher or a teacher, but you are to be a disciple and a servant of the Most-High God, and you need to tell them just what God delivered you from!

Tell them your own story and what Jesus did for you! Stop trying to fit in, it’s not about fitting in, it’s about standing tall, being your authentic and transparent self so that He may get the Glory for you! You were called to be different. You are in this world, but you are not of this world, and this means that you don’t operate by their standards, you don’t buy into their opinions. For you know what God has done for you and you have to be genuine when you explain that to others by being truthful and trustworthy!

Today, look for ways to serve and love others while you follow Jesus, and as you follow Jesus listen to the Holy Spirit and do what He says to do, for He will give you the exact Words that you need to say! For your testimony is everything to someone who is going through and needs to be free. They need to know how you made it through and over, tell them it was only because of what Jesus Christ did for you on Calvary that you are here today! It’s time to be reconciled back to God!

There is a song called, “Whose Going To Tell Them” By Marvin Winans! Please listen to this!

Let’s Pray:

Father, Thank You! Father, bless me today, I tell them about what You did for me. Father I seek to share Your Word, my faith and Your Salvation with my family and friends who have not yet called on the Name of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Father I want to tell everyone I know that have not surrendered their lives to You, that time is running out and that You will be coming back soon! Father I know that it is Your desire that none would perish. Father, help me to share with them and to not push them farther away, give me the Words to speak that they may see You in me and see the transformation that had taken place in my life since I accepted You! Father I Thank You that nothing can separate me from You and Your love, for the length and breadth and height and depth of Your Grace and Mercy is beyond my understanding. Father, Thank You, for saving me, I pray that my testimony will draw others to You. For You are a Healer, Deliver, and a Comforter to the lost and to the broken hearted, Thank You for binding up all of our wounds and making us whole! Father I thank You that every thought that I have is held captive by You and Your Word. Father, I am willing to go where You send me and to tell those whom I meet, of the great things You have done for me. Thank You Father for having mercy on me, in Jesus Christ Name. Amen!

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean

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Preview YouTube video Who’s Gonna Tell Them – Marvin Winans

Who’s Gonna Tell Them – Marvin Winans

Good Morning Sunshine! Run Your Race In The Grace of God!

Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT ~ “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

What are you doing to prepare yourself for your race? What are you doing before starting and finishing the race?

As you have read and witnessed your Christian life is like a race, you go from here to there and back again to end up sometimes in the same place, but at a different stage of you! Yes, you know what you are running to and for, the win the prize, and cross the finish line! The end goal is eternity! Plain and simple! So, in order to do this, you are going to have to do something different, you need to shed a few things that have been holding you back.

Let go and let God! For you are awaking to a grace so amazing that it will follow you everywhere you go. That means that there is nothing in your life that has been too shameful or too disgraceful that God doesn’t want to cover up and make it right! God has taken your bad and ugly and made it work out for your good. Romans 8:28! God’s plan for you is the best, nothing else will do!

So today give Him everything that you think keeps you from Him, and yes, it is that thing that you are thinking about right now, He knows, and He wants you to let Him have it! Give it to Him, because He already knows what it is, there is nothing about you that He doesn’t already know, you don’t have to do anything to yourself to get ready, you can go just as you are! He just wants you to relinquish it to Him on your own! God wants you to have His very best!

Now that you have shredded some old stuff you can be focus on how you are going to stay on track and run with endurance and resilience! You do this by keeping your mind stayed on Jesus, you stay planted in The Word, you keep moving forward, one foot at a time, you keep your eyes on Jesus Christ, who is the Author and Finisher of your faith! For you are closer to the goal line than when you first began! Can’t you see it, it right on the other side of the horizon!

You can run now! Jesus set the tempo. Jesus ran His race perfectly, and He is showing you just what to do. He is there to direct you at every turn, valley and peak, stay the course, this is your faithfulness unto to Him, so that you can finish your mission that He planned and the way He purposed it for you! Be patient, be focused and take your time, you can do this, the Holy Spirit is with you! Stay the Mission! See the Course! Finish the Race! For His Grace is with you and it’s sufficient!

1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV ~ “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” There is a song called, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the grace that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see; twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear; the hour I first believed.” It’s by God’s Amazing Grace that you even have a race to run too!

Now ask yourself these questions while you are meditating on this song. When did you first believe? Have you ever felt lost? Have you ever needed directions and didn’t know which to go? If you have ever felt like this while you were running your race, this song is for you! God’s Amazing Grace is the only thing that can save you from being lost! But You Have Got To Believe It!

Just run to your Daddy God; there’s no way you can outrun His grace, mercy, or His Love in anyway because they are forever chasing you, Psalms 23:6a (NLT)! Let God’s grace cover you today because His grace is Greater than your sin. Sunshine, you are covered in His grace, you are loved Greater than you understand, and you are well on your way to living your best life now.

Sunshine, Jesus Christ came to save you from you and save you from a life of sin! You were rescued through God’s Amazing Grace for a purpose, and this gives you something to look forward to, an eternity of Worshiping and Praising Him! His Amazing Grace will prevail on earth and in heaven for His Glory! Today, run your race, they’re watching while you watch Jesus! Just believe in the Spirit and Power of Jesus Christ and watch your life change right before your eyes and theirs too!

Your goal is to finish the race, and cross your finish line, until you get to eternity, for this is the final the finish line that you will have to cross! And Oh, what a time you will have when you cross that finish line!

Let’s Pray:
Father Thank You! Father, I praise Your Holy Name. Thank You for saving me when I was lost. Thank You! Thank You for setting my path in place to see You. Teach me how to run with endurance and resilience to move past everything that would try to hinder or derail me. Thank You for sustaining me in this race when I felt like the finish line is so far away! You show up and reminded me of Your love and concern me and for this I’m forever grateful! Lord, let my life be a reflection of who You are in me. Thank You for opening and healing my eyes that I may see You and be found by You when I was lost in my sin! Thank You for Your Amazing Grace, saving, delivering and forgiving a wretch like me! In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean

Good Morning Sunshine! Let The Spirit Of God Lead You, For This Is Where Your Life Begins!

2 Corinthians 3:1-6 ERV ~ “Why are we beginning again to tell you all these good things about ourselves? Do we need letters of introduction to you or from you, like some other people? [2] No, you yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts. It is known and read by all people. [3] You show that you are a letter from Christ that he sent through us. This letter is not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. It is not written on stone tablets but on human hearts. [4] We can say this, because through Christ we feel sure before God. [5] I don’t mean that we are able to do anything good ourselves. It is God who makes us able to do all that we do. [6] He made us able to be servants of a new agreement from himself to his people. It is not an agreement of written laws, but it is of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.”

The written covenant from old ends in death; but in the new covenant, the Spirit gives you life, which means that if you are trying to be saved by keeping the Old Testament laws it will end in death. The only way to have eternal life, you have to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to receive eternal life through the Holy Spirit! The law makes you realize your sin, but it cannot give you life. But under the new covenant, it means that eternal life comes from the Holy Spirit and the Spirit gives new life to all who believe in Jesus Christ!

The law points out your sin and shows you how to obey God, but forgiveness comes through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ Romans 7:10–8:2! So, on the day when the law (the Ten Commandments) was given by Moses, three thousand people were killed, but on the day the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, three thousand people received new life! See Ex. 32:28; Acts 2:41. Do you see God’s Hand in this? The world sees things one way, but the Spirit of God shows you His Way, who is the right way!

In the churches around the world, they are missing the knowledge and understanding of what really matters and how to live in a new way. Paul is talking about confidence, and the people in the world want confidence. Every way you turn, the people in the world are being bombarded with how to become stronger, self-sufficient and confident by any means necessary. The world tells you that your confidence comes from within you, and this is how you get power, and you are able to build up yourself through the skills that you develop for this helps you to succeed and be successful. And when you lack confidence, you are unsure and insecure and fail to make a good impression on anyone. So, the best thing for you, is to aim to have confidence.

But this kind of confidence is not what Paul was talking, what he is saying is totally different from anything that world knows about. People said that Paul was a success because he was doing his best to give himself totally to use all of his resources and abilities to serve God with all his heart. But when you ask Paul, he said that nothing comes from him and everything that he does comes from God. As for you, you can do nothing apart from God, but through Him you can do all things. Your abilities will be evident in your ministry, and the changes that occur in people’s lives will be because of what God did and it will have nothing to do with your natural abilities! It’s all God at work in you!

The old covenant says it you that did a thing on behalf of God, and the new covenant says it’s because of what God is doing in and through you, that you are able to do this! “Yes, it is God who is working in you. He helps you want to do what pleases him, and he gives you the power to do it.” Philippians 2:13! Do you see the difference? It’s God and not you! It’s a truth that you need to learn, it’s not just for the Preachers and Pastors, it’s for you and everyone else! For we are all ministers of Jesus Christ; there is no special class set aside to be ministers. You have been called and graced to be a minister, a servant of God for the new covenant, and to depend on God to be at work in you, not on your ability to do something for Him!

In these scriptures Paul gives you some lessons that he learned while in his wilderness: (1) Just because you have knowledge of something does not make it easier to obey them. (2) Being self-determined cannot change your heart (3) Becoming a Christian does not stamp out your sin and temptation from your life. But being born again can happen in a moment of faith, but being like Jesus Christ is a lifelong process, it’s your daily walk! Paul compares your Christian growth to a race, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27! Run your race, for God is your Coach!

So, as you can see through Paul that since the beginning of this letter, no one in the world is innocent; no one deserves to be saved, not the one who doesn’t know God, nor the one who does know Him, but all of us must depend totally on what Jesus Christ has done for our salvation. You cannot earn it by your good deeds, He made you to be servants of a new agreement, and it is not an agreement of written laws, but it is of His Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives you life! Trust the Spirit of God that is on the inside of you. Don’t follow the world but follow the Word and be filled!

Let’s Pray:

Thank You Father! Thank You for Your Holy Spirit. Father I need You to work in my heart, mind, and will, that I may obey You. Father, Thank You for making me a new creature in You. Father, please remove all layers of selfishness and laziness that comes to make me procrastinate and be unproductive. Father, today help me deny my flesh and my agenda, for with Your help I will flush my flesh with faith in You and Your Word. Thank You for Your Grace and Mercy. Father, create in me a new heart, with right and pure intentions. Father, help me say no to everything that is not like You and keep me from succumbing to what the world deems good, for I want to be aligned with a God thing over a good thing! Father, I want to live my life and be enabled and empowered by You and Your Spirit. For I acknowledge my insufficiency, and I accept Your Strength, for everything that is me, is because of You and Your Spirit for it gives me life. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings…
Love, Minister Jean