Goal, Prize, Reward…

In light of all that is happening in the world, we must stay mindful of the bigger picture. As we’ve heard on so many occasions ‘we are living in our last days.’ What exactly is the bigger picture? So where do you stand? What path do you choose? Is your house in order?

When I was younger, I always heard the elders of the family say this phrase as if they were wishing upon a star or something. I was always fearful that I wouldn’t live to see my teens, twenties, and definitely not my thirties. Alas the Lord made a way when doubt was so fresh in so many others mind. Yet too many people I knew around my era didn’t make it to this age, gone entirely too soon.

With all the death, either through sudden illness, accidents, pointless killings, or natural causes, why worry about division within communities?

So many folks are worried about what religion, what faith, what denomination, what origin, what district, what church… It’s starting to sound gang related. I know this is not a joking matter but come on people wise up. The questions are almost starting to sound a little like ‘WHAT SET YOU CLAIM.’

It does not matter where you worship it’s about WHO you worship. No matter what you call him because he goes by many names, he still hears our prayers. It doesn’t matter where you call him from, his line is open and available.

The senseless acts in Charleston should really put into perspective that hate, violence, ignorance and overall evil is not limited to the streets. As so many pastors preach on Sunday morning, the devil can walk right into the church and participate. When he sees fit he will wreak havoc. His mission is to KILL, STEAL, AND DESTROY.

The question is, are you going to allow him to kill our determination, dignity, and prophecy that HE has laid out for us? Are you going to allow him to steal your faith, beliefs, and praise? Are you going to continue to allow him to destroy our communities, families, and our churches? Are we going to allow him to constantly put fear in our hearts to keep us distracted from what the bigger picture is?

What is the bigger picture?

Putting all of our trust in the one that sits high and looks low… The Messiah, the beginning and the end… Not one that stalks the world we call home causing destruction. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Where do you stand?

On your faith, and while your there scream as loud as you can, JESUS! Matthew 8:26
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

What path do you choose?

Choose wisely for you and your descendants. Joshua 24:15 “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Is your house in order?

Matthew 24:42
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Matthew 24:43
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
Matthew 24:44
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

It all boils down to being prayerful. Stand firm on your faith. Let love fill your heart, mind, body, and soul. Nothing worth working for is an overnight success but the end result of your hard work will be phenomenal.

Much Love y’all. Continued prayers for the sick, those grieving, and the lost.

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