Breakfast For Your Soul

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him: And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.  You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?  It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

[ Matthew 5:1-17]

bless⋅ed  /ˈblɛsɪd; especially for 3, 7 blɛst/[bles-id; especially for 3, 7 blest]

–adjective

1.	consecrated; sacred; holy; sanctified: the Blessed Sacrament.

2.	worthy of adoration, reverence, or worship: the Blessed Trinity.

3.	divinely or supremely favored; fortunate: to be blessed with a strong, healthy body; blessed with an ability to find friends.

4.	blissfully happy or contented.

5.	bringing happiness and thankfulness: the blessed assurance of a steady income.

“IIIIIIIIIIIIIII KNOW HE’S ALRIGHT!!!!!”

“Count Your Blessings”, St. Johns Children Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ox75f3HWBA

“Blessed”, Fred Hammond and RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwQ8_iqorUE

“Blessed and Highly Favored”, The Clark Sisters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWxshbbTYkc

“Healing”, Kelly Price

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV4P7TI522o

“God’s Got A Blessing With Your Name On It”, Norman Hutchins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn2C0tpF01c

“I Will Bless The Lord”, Byron Cage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBtjP31ZIlQ

Friday, September 11, 2009

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

[2 Chronicles 7:14]

Good Afternoon Beloved,

Whew!   Crazy day … craaaazy day.  HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!! I just had to revisit this one… especially today, the anniversary of “9/11″.  Today there are many memorials, and tributes.  Remembering all of the brave men and women who selflessly gave their lives saving others.  “Regular” people who showed great courage under fire during extremely ‘irregular’ circumstances.  A common complaint I have heard lodged against The Creator is “Why?”  Why does He allow atrocities like that to happen?  Well, I don’t know.  Why does He allow any person to sin?  Why does He allow them to steal, kill and destroy?  We tend to place levels and distinctions to sin.  God does not.  Stealing is stealing… whether it is a grape from the Safeway or somebody’s purse.  We want to call down the wrath of God on the purse stealer, but what if we’re the grape-stealer?  A whole new dynamic emerges.  The grape does not seem to be a big deal… but it’s not ours until we pay for it.  What if everybody who entered the store decided to take one grape?  There would be none left.  God sees all.  He is righteous and His judgment is always true.  I was watching a television judge yesterday, and I did not like that judges ruling.  I thought it was biased and unfair.  Well, the way our system is set up, if a judge is deemed unfit, they can be removed from the bench. Our God is Sovereign. He is the final authority.  He has the benefit of knowing the past, the present and the future.  What He allows today, will fit into a future plan that we may or may not live to see.  The folks who made it into the Hebrews chapter 11 “hall of faith” did not live to see the promises of God fulfilled in their lifetime, but their descendants have benefited from their faithfulness.  We are reaping the benefits of countless others before us.  On the flip side, we are doing things that will be to the benefit or detriment of the generations after us.

…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. [Daniel 11:32]

…. WHOA! …. and THAT Beloved is  Good News!

U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend! …. join me in checking out Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” http://www.icandobadmovie.com/#/home

Regina

“Blessed”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwQ8_iqorUE

“More, More, More”, Joann Rosario

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Iu6ByvrEA

“Your Will”, Darius Brooks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qxs0sfURZM

“Never Would Have Made It”, Marvin Sapp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JXFg5KEoXg

“Praise On The Inside”, J. Moss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3qNWf4XyPk

“Never Seen Your Face”, The Williams Brothers w/ K&K Mime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp3OLpBXIAI

“Jesus Will Pick You Up”, The Williams Sisters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvt4c6dUBzg

 Thursday and Friday, July 2 & 3, 2009

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11

Beloved,

ooooooooohhhh… Somebody has you on Their mind… regardless of where your mind is… remember Somebody is thinking about you.  Ever wonder what He is thinking as He thinks about us?  Well, you don’t have to wonder… it is written all over the Bible.  Jeremiah 29 is very plain.  His aim is not to hurt us, but to give us a great future.  Yes, things come up along the way, remember we have an enemy who hates us because we are Beloved of God.  He through away the honor and glory he once had, and that privilege was bestowed on us, and so much more.  We have a stubborn human nature that is constantly at war with the things of the Spirit.  That battle will be when we get to where He is.  As long as we are in this body we will have something to deal with.  Probably so we won’t stick our noses up at other people who are struggling.  We are blessed, favored, prized and cherished.  I was reminded just the other day of a scriptural verse that most people only think about around Christmas time ~

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men

[Luke 2:14]

THAT’S THE GOSPEL! …. my friend…. now that’s Good News!

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend!

BE SAFE

Regina

Stir Up The Gift”, Joe Pace and Colorado Mass Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4DWNSJa4go

“I Will Bless The Lord At All Time”, Joe Pace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BwuIr8MkJ0

“I Will Bless The Lord”, Byron Cage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBtjP31ZIlQ

“Pray”, CeCe Winans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYOeDSnEPrY

“Long As I Got King Jesus”, Vickie Winans (concept video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyAMCkHOb8U

“We Need A Word From The Lord”, Vickie Winans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBBehsH0Wlk

“Father Can You Hear Me?”, Diary of a Mad Black Woman scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s7QNpqiqsc

Fishing Lure -Matthew 4:19 112 of 128   People don’t need to be beat on the head with the bad news that they are condemned for being a sinner. We should be telling them the good news, that Jesus loves them and died to redeem them from condemnation

Proposal -Hosea 2:19,20 110 of 128   Jesus has made His proposal to the world, offering gifts of love and righteousness. The people of the world would be crazy not to accept his offer. February 9, 2009

Dinner Bell -Luke 14:17 103 of 128   The good news is that, through Jesus, everyone is invited to take a seat at the table of God’s blessing. We need to be telling the world about the blessing Christ has provided for them. November 23, 2008

Jungle Guide -John 16:13 100 of 128   This world can seem as a dark, impenetrable jungle of various doctrines and beliefs. But, we have the map of God’s Word, and we have a guide, the Holy Spirit, to help us find the path of truth.

King James Version view cartoons in Biblical order Copyright 2009 Michael D. Waters

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

But if you remain in ME and MY Words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!

[John 15:7]

Delight yourself also in the LORD: and HE shall give you the desires of your heart.

[Psalms 37:4]

Wow!  What a statement.  Anything Jesus?  Really!  YES!  Just don’t miss the prerequisite –the foundation His statement is based upon.  If we remain in Him.  If we delight ourselves in Him.  Key points because if we are delighting in Him we won’t ask for crazy things.  If our heart is toward Him, our desires will be different.  Where our heart is, our mind will follow.  What we were in our ‘BC’ (before Christ) life begins to change.  Sometimes the change is so subtle it may take us a while to notice.  I was at the Golden Corral a little while back, and noticed that my plate consisted of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and a piece of chicken (you’d have to have known my eating habits before to know that something has definitely changed).  Not only do I like cauliflower and water (which used to make me gag), but many other fruits and vegetables that I used to hate.  Our body is amazing.  God’s Word calls us, “fearfully and wonderfully made”.  We can actually have ‘good cravings’.  Foods that will strengthen and preserve our bodies as we get older.  I never thought I’d see the day that I would choose a vitamin water over a Coke, Pistachios over a cupcake.  I started drinking tea everyday just because, and then found out that it was good for me … good cravings.  Spiritually speaking… same principal.  The more of Jesus we accept into our heart and mind, the more we crave what He craves.  We see the world differently.  Tolerance is the ‘in’ thing right now.  Everybody is talking tolerance for everything under the son.  True tolerance in the vocabulary of the believer is different.  We don’t change God’s Word because some may not like it.  The truth will not change whether or not we agree with it.  The difference is I don’t hate you because of it.  How can I hate what God so passionately loves.  If I love Him, I’ll love you.  I don’t have to agree with you to love you.  For me … if I’m wrong, please don’t tell me I’m right just so my feelings won’t be hurt .  Wouldn’t it be terrible if I lived in darkness all my life, you knew the truth, we die and I’m standing at the gate looking back at you.  You’re being escorted into the gates of heaven, I’m being dragged to a burning hell, and I look at you, and ask you why you never told me the truth, and you say, “I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.  I didn’t want you to be mad at me.  I was trying to be politically correct”. (yeah I know, that sentence was really long).  Perish the thought.  Glad I’m saved!  Jesus told us that many would hate Him, His Word and His followers () (John 15:18-19, John 17:14, 1 John 3:13), so why are we surprised by anything said and done by unbelievers?  God let us know that in the last day the truth would be mocked.  He already told us that, “the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing”.  He also told us not to fear… His Word is true… all of it.  So today Beloved… “get to askin’“

“I Get Joy”, Mary, Mary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI89cKHSHXg

“Your Grace and Mercy”, Mississippi Mass Choir, w Frank Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVkTmNFQrX4

“Jesus Is My Help”, Hezekiah Walker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiHZVB1fNRI

“Calling My Name”, Hezekiah Walker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1QMRqCAw-I

“Available to You”, Milton Bronson and the Thompson Community Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-GZEruATaA

“In the Presence of Royalty”, Byron Cage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkCDtfed2fE

“Thou Art A Shield For Me” (Psalm 3:3), Byron Cage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB6cFqCBMAE

Falling Leaves -Psalm 1:3 96 of 121   Apart from Jesus, all of our plans and efforts end up like dead, dry leaves that blow away in the wind. We need to get in God’s plan for our lives, and there we will find good success. October 5, 2008   Copyright 2009 Michael D. Waters

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

    And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

[2 Corinthians 9:8-9]

“God’s Generosity “

Good Morning Beloved,

Ever thought about that?  The generosity of God.  Not only will He “supply our needs”, but He doesn’t mind giving extra.  What I’ve noticed, is that people who have the generous spirit are always taken care of.  Even when it looks like they are lacking, their needs are always supplied.  I’ve also noticed that some of us feel uncomfortable asking God for anything.  We think that He is like people, giving only when we have proven ourselves worthy to receive something.  There are those whose esteem is so low that they never feel like they do anything right.  Some of that stems from childhood.  If you take a child who was told that they were ‘stupid’, ‘worthless’, ‘annoying’, ’ugly’, etc., etc., that child will internalize those words.  It is difficult for that person to accept kindness because they feel that they have to earn it… and they feel they never can.  For some, even a generous comment cannot be received by them.  A simple, “you look nice today”, is met with an uncomfortable, “oh, yeah, but I need to lose a few pounds though”. Hello?!  A simple ‘thank you’ will do.  God is generous with everything He has, material –

But you shall remember the LORD your God: for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware to your fathers, as it is this day. ~Deuteronomy 8:18

I will give you great harvests from your fruit trees and fields, and never again will the surrounding nations be able to scoff at your land for its famines. ~Ezekiel 36:30

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  ~Philippians 4:19

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ~Matthew 6:33

and immaterial,

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ~James 1:5

Being justified freely by His grace ~Romans 3:24

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  ~1 Corinthians 2:12

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let them that hear say, Come. And let them that are thirsty come. And whosoever will, let them take the water of life freely. ~Revelation 22:17

He is a great big generous God.  Everything is His.  Remember, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof ~1 Corinthians 10:26“.  If you own it, you can pretty much do what you want with it.  When finances are flowing, I tend to spend with little thought. Whatever my daughter wants, she can get at that point — no problem.  When things get tight, it’s a little different, “uh-uh put that back..don’t you have something like that in your closet already?”. In God’s economy there is no lack.  He is the Creator of all.  One day, we can be in the midst of a dry spell and wondering where the resources we need will come from. The next day, our life can dramatically change.  I think about people like Yolanda Adams.  One day she is a school teacher, and seemingly overnight, she bursts on the scene, and years later is still at the forefront of the gospel arena.  Not only that, but she is also well respected in secular circles as a woman of God.  The challenge for us is not to forget God during prosperous seasons, and to be as generous to others, as our God is to us.  I believe sometimes we are waiting for God to make a move that He has already made… believe it or not… your season is here…

He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

[Romans 8:32]

Monday, November 3, 2008

“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since He is Lord of heaven and earth, He doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve His needs—for He has no needs. He Himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need.  From one man He created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and He determined their boundaries. “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him—though He is not far from any one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. “God over-looked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now He commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to Him. For He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man He has appointed, and He proved to everyone who this is by raising Him from the dead.” When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council,a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

{Acts 17:24-34}

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
(Refrain)

Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above, 
filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
(Refrain)

{“Blessed Assurance”}

Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
Music: Phoebe P. Knapp, 1839-1908

God’s promise, His assurance is yes He exists, no… no one really “gets away” with anything.  He is a just God.  The good news for us, is that He is also merciful.  Every moment we have breath, is another moment that was not owed or promised… a gift… time to “work out” our issues with Him.  I heard someone say, something to the effect that, isn’t it funny how we demand justice when someone offends us, and pray for mercy when the shoe is on our foot.  My grandmother used to say, “God ain’t no play-toy…. don’t play with Him”.  There is another side to God lest we think He is all warm and fuzzy… We don’t have to meet that other side though.  He has given us access into His presence.  A ‘golden invitation’ to come and reason with Him about anything.