TRAITS OF GOD'S ELECT

THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND HUMILITY

These are two important characteristics of God's Elect

Colossians 3:12 (KJV)
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

I see compassion, love, caring and patience in that verse which can only come as a result of someone who is humble.  What other words can you use to describe the traits of God's elect from that scripture?

The bible teaches us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  This immediately sends a message that it is a very vital component to our survival because wisdom is crucial to knowledge and understanding.  

The scripture calls the elect of God to put on humbleness of mind.  This might hurt some folks who feel that they are all that and then some- mainly in their minds.  
Many people struggle with humility because they have allowed their power, position, accomplishments and success to overpower their thinking and sense of reasoning. 

They take the credit of who they are and who they have become for themselves.  They measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves.  When they go outside of themselves they boast about how better they are than others rather than appreciating that every one has their unique strengths and or differences. 

Let's face it there are no exceptions to the scripture! 
To you who are called elect of God, holy and beloved - You must be clothed with humility regardless of your status or position in life.

TODAY'S FOCUS:  THERE ARE GREAT REWARDS TO THE HUMBLE

Struggling with the word humble? Read the following scripture and view the rewards

Proverbs 22:4 (KJV)
By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

Proverbs 22:4 (TLB)
True humility and respect for the Lord lead a man to riches, honor, and long life.

Many people who are in great positions, and yes even in the churches, are not respected and honored. Could it be that they are not humble?

It begins with the fear of the Lord.  If God is respected, reverenced and feared humility will be automatic.  Humility will then be a natural trait.  

There are many scriptures in the bible and many proverbs that gives us the benefits of being meek and humble.  Here are a few:

1. The meek are blessed and shall inherit the earth - Matthew 5:5
2. God gives more grace to the humble - James 4:6
3. The humble will be lifted up - James 4: 10

Can you find and make a list of some others? 

Meekness and humility defines our relationship with God and others

• In what type of relational situations do you find it difficult to maintain traits of meekness 
  and humility?
• What prevents you from displaying these traits?

Remember, to always be prepared to give an account of your hope in Christ, your accomplishments and  academic success with meekness and humility.  (1 Peter 3:15)

I encourage you to apply the word of God when you are challenged.  Studying the word is not just an academic exercise, but it should allow you to apply what you have learned to your lives.  Effective application will enhance your walk, relationship and cause you to reap the rewards of riches, honor and life.  

God Bless and Keep The Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

DETOX YOUR MIND, BODY & SPIRIT - 10 DAY DANIEL FAST

OUR PRAYER CHAIN 10-DAY FAST BEGINS NEXT WEEK

We give God thanks for keeping us throughout our Daniel Fast for 2014.
We started with the 21 Day Daniel Fast and had the prayer warriors on watch fasting for the 21 days.  Then we did the Daniel Fast every last week of the month for the whole year.  We had a theme and prayer points.  It was challenging for the last couple months with our conference, November thanksgiving week and December where all the holiday goodies were out.  But we kept our commitment and kept our word.  THANK YOU JESUS WE MADE IT!  The results have been phenomenal especially with the two journeys, Having a Mary Spirit and Lazarus Awakening, books by Joanna Weaver.  God made some changes in our lives and we are all for the better - GLORY TO GOD!

This year we are doing our fast differently.  We are changing from the 21 day routine to the 10 Day Fast as Daniel did for the time to be proven.  Read the facts and outcome in Daniel chapter 1.  We are focusing on verses 12-20.  We are seeking to be wiser, for vision, understanding and the spirit of discernment and interpretation.

The fast begins from Wednesday Evening on January 14 at Sunset to Sunset Saturday, January 24, 2015. During the 10 days we will have a chain fasting. For those who are committed in the fast we will be taking personal request (only for those in the chain) and make a schedule prayer list.  Each day we will have a warrior in total fasting so for the 10 days.  That person will be taking the request for that day to God and the rest of the group will be praying for that person.  This is going to be powerful.  Please note..... THAT FOR THE 10 DAYS EVERYONE WILL BE ON THE DANIEL FAST, BUT THE PERSON WHO IS ON DUTY FOR THE DAY WILL NOT EAT ANYTHING BUT WATER.  After that we will continue with 9 different fast each month for 9 months.

If you are interested and want to be included you must contact us via email or inbox us on Facebook no later than Sunday, January, 11, 2015 so we can put you on schedule.

Visit blog next week for instructions and preparation of the fast

LOOKING FOR THE BREAKTHROUGH AND DELIVERANCE
Expect it and Watch God.

Like Daniel are you willing to say..... PROVE ME THESE 10 DAYS?

CLEARLY DEFINED INSTRUCTIONS

AN ESTABLISHED COVENANT

The Lord had spoken to Moses saying....

Exodus 6: 4,5 KJV

And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.

And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

Because of their bondage, it was hard for Moses to receive that in the situation where they were established.  

He was also weakened by his previous experience.  His previous encounter seem to be a failure because Pharaoh's heart became more hardened and increased more punishment on the children of Israel.  But God had spoken.

Exodus 6:10,11 (KJV)And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.

In verse 11 Moses objected.....
And Moses spake before the Lord, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?

TODAY'S FOCUS:  OBJECTION DELAYS THE PROCESS

Verse 13 - And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

Moses objected and gave many reasons why he wasn't capable of doing what God said.  His hesitation and excuses were not validated.  

At times it can get difficult especially when people do not believe you because they have not seen the manifestation of the word that was given to you.  But God has great plans for you, and His promise will be fulfilled whether you believe it or not.  He may give you help or may choose to bring it to pass with someone else if you continue to object.  

Has God spoken to you about something but you are allowing your circumstances to handicap and delay your progress? What's your objection or excuse?  

What have you been called to do that you feel that you are not equipped to handle?
And the Lord spake unto (insert your name) saying.... (Make a list)

Ask God for the strength to fulfill the task, seek His counsel and follow His instructions. 

Remember when God gives instructions, they are clearly defined especially when they are etched and or connected with a covenant.  You cannot be a coward, and excuses will not work with God.  It is difficult to follow God without putting your full trust and confidence that He will do what He say He will do.  Even if others don't believe, Believe God -  IT SHALL COME TO PASS!

God Bless and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

THE DIFFERENCE OF ONE LETTER

A MESSAGE FROM A BITTER WOMAN

The Story taken from the book of Ruth reveals the fascinating story of Naomi. 

 Her name means, "My Joy", "My Bliss", or "Pleasantness of Jehovah," and is a name suggestive of all that is charming, agreeable and attractive. (Meaning taken from Bible gateway resource) 

But when she met with some life changing circumstances, she was overshadowed and overwhelmed with deep sorrow and sadness that did not correspond with the meaning of her name.   

Naomi, the joyful, charming, agreeable and attractive woman experienced several life changing circumstances which brought desolation and grief. The change in location and the loss of her connections and those that were dear to her caused her to even lose her will to live. 

LIKE  ELIMELECH YOU CAN DIE IN THE MIDST OF PLENTY!

Although the land produced plenty she was still empty after she lost the things that were precious to her.  She decided to go back and started the journey back.  Halfway one of the daughter in law decides to go back, but one refused to go back.  Perhaps she recognized her worth even through her barrenness.  

TODAY'S FOCUS:  RETRIEVE THE PAST

Naomi heard the news that the famine was lifted and her land brought forth plenty again. Her circumstances caused her to retract her steps, and go back to where she knew was safe, secure and familiar.  She had a need to return to the "favor of God."

The smell of poverty and loss were all over her and it probably showed so that She had her name change to Mara which means "Bitter" because she felt that the Lord had dealt very bitterly with her.   She claimed that she went out full and came back empty.  

• Like Naomi are you qualified to be called, bitter, weary, broken, poverty stricken, empty etc...?  Suffering a loss, brokenness, a mistake.... Is it showing on you?

• Are you in a place where there are opportunities but God's favor is not?        That out of wedlock relationship, that job that compromises your faith etc...

• Are you connected to things or people that estranged you from your God?

• Is your journey a direct act of disobedience? (share your story)

Remember subdue your bitterness and get better.  Retract your step and return to the place of restoration and plenty.  Get back to the favor of God.   Glean with the reapers until you are noticed enough to be favored.  Your pleasant, agreeable, charming and attractive disposition will be restored and with one letter change from bitter to better!

God Bless you and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

UNDER THE SURFACE

HOW'S YOUR INSIDE?

A LESSON FROM PLANTAINS

The first picture shows a perfect pair of plantain so sweet, beautiful, ripe,and in good condition.  

The second is the same pair flipped over reflecting rottenness, brokenness and exposed.  

In the natural many portray/display a good looking facade and may put up a good front, but yet are experiencing hurt, loss and other emotional turmoils.  Others look good on the outside but have many physical known or perhaps unknown ailments and diseases.  

To the world, like the first picture above, everything looks great, pretty and happy. But only you know what happens when you are left with you, your thoughts, emotions and pains which look very much like the second picture.  

How often have you gone to the dentist with a perfect tooth and after an x-ray told that you have a cavity.  Where? Of course on the inside not visible but still there.

Sometimes people feel real good but decide to go for a check up only to be given very grave news.  No signs or symptoms but rotten and messed up on the inside. Sometimes the results are like the second picture - cannot be repaired or salvaged.  

What can be done to avoid this or limit the damages? 

Some might suggest more frequent checkups, home routine checks, listen to you body, avoid alcohol, cigarettes and other abusive substances, good eating habits, adequate rest/sleep and exercise etc... 

While you can pray and ask the Lord to heal you and help you that your bodies will not become diseased, (my heart will not attack me, my kidneys will not fail me, my lungs will not collapse within me, my blood will not be pressured or diseased, my colon will not strangle me, my brain will not burst, my breast/uterus will not have abnormal growth or my prostrate will not be enlarged, my breathing will not be labored, my teeth will not hurt or decay, my mind will not be confused, blocked or wandering, my eyes will not be blinded or clouded, my faculties will not be distorted, parasites and viruses will not overrule, knees and legs will not be crippled, nerves will not be frazzled, ......(add to list as it suits), it goes deeper than the natural.

TODAY'S FOCUS:  A SPIRITUAL APPLICATION  

As you reflect on the picture and the physical analogy let's take a closer look in the spiritual.   WHAT'S EATING YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT?

HOW DOES YOUR INSIDE LOOK UNDER THE SURFACE?

If you were to be flipped over, pressured, squeezed or exposed what would be found?

Would there be things like anger/temper, unforgiveness, lasciviousness, hate, adultery, lying, wickedness, dirty living, rotten character, idolatry, selfishness, evil intentions/desires, rebellion, faithless,  un-thankfulness etc........

These can and will eventually materialize in sickness or harm to others.  

There are still others that are not easily seen, detected, may never get exposed because they are deep rotted and are not things that are necessary demonstrated in the physical realm such as... a perverted/lustful and carnal thought pattern/spirit, guilt, etc....

How's your spiritual health?  Let's do some some searching - (Psalm 139: 23-24)

Using your body parts in the spiritual do an assessment of your spiritual health ie... 

Heart - desires

Kidney's - filtering the good from the bad

Mind- thoughts  etc...

Secondly, like the suggestions of the natural, what are some things we can do to keep our spiritual decay?  

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS.

Remember, God sees the heart.  Nothing is hidden from him.   He is aware of even the secret desires.   Reflect on the picture again and the message and go deep.  Ask the Lord like David to search you.  Catch it in the early stage before it's a too late cry. Don't let circumstances cause you to reflect what is truly the real you and don't let God expose what you are really like on the inside or what you have been hiding.  It's not only wise to use the Balm of Gilead but make daily use of the Spirit of God to wash, to clean, to lead, to guide and to make you a perfect man.  Well in body, soul and spirit.  

God Bless and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

SIMPLE ESSENTIALS PRAISE

GOD IS NEVER FAR AWAY

It is always easy to believe that God is close by when things are going well; but how do you feel when circumstances are not as you expected?  It may be that you are not as well as you want to be or perhaps you desire some things that you cannot afford.  Whatever the situation let me remind you that He is never ever far away.  

Look around you and you will see that He is all around you every moment.  He is in the air your breathe, in the steps you take, in the words you speak and in the very essence of your being.  All you have to do is seek Him, feel after Him and Find Him.  

Acts 17:27-28 (KJV)
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

YOU KNOW HE IS NEAR WHEN YOU CAN...

Say Good Morning - Someone didn't wake up today!

Read This - That proves that you are not blind!

Move around - That shows that you have the use of your legs!

Talk - When you said Good Morning 

SO HOW ABOUT SOME PRAISE!!!!  GLORY - HALLELUJAH!!!!!

TODAY'S FOCUS:  GOD'S GOODNESS IS IN THE SIMPLE AND ESSENTIAL THINGS

Sometimes we spend more time thinking of the things we need, don't have or what was done to us. Just the fact that we woke up, could see walk and talk should be enough to give a shout out to our faithful Daddy for life!

Let's think of some of the simple things that we can overlook that speaks of His goodness: Here are a couple of examples:

1. Being able to scratch yourself - Thankful for hands
2. Eat and Swallow - Thankful that you are not on a feeding tube

Can you make a list of a few more simple essentials that you can praise God for while you wait for your prayers to be answered, breakthroughs or blessings?

A lack of gratitude can be a setback.  As individuals you may hold back until someone shows their gratitude.  

While I understand that God's grace, mercy and love does not depend on us, a heart and attitude of gratitude is  still required of us. 

Remember, He is never far away.  He is also a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6.  Seek Him Happily and you will find that He is only a praise away.  The simple essentials can bring that on.  If you can be thankful and express gratitude for the things that you have you will enjoy the essence of life in its simplicity even if you have not yet received the things that you desire.  Know that the very things that you take for granted while complaining is a miracle to someone else.  

So get up everyday and Start your Day Right in Prayer and Praise!

God Bless and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

GOD IS DELIBERATE

A FRIENDLY REMINDER

Reading a dear Pastor Friends post today reminded me of a topic that is very dear to my heart.  I have held various sessions on the topic, and perhaps I have mentioned it in several of my blogs and most likely will continue to encourage myself and others.

I AM NOT A MISTAKE BUT A MASTERPIECE!  Not just any ordinary piece of work, but a special design, designed by the Master Artist Himself to make me extraordinary.

Every imperfection, every flaw and everything out of alignment were part of His perfect sketch to chose you and use you for purpose.  

HE USES THE FOOLISH AND THE FEEBLE.  You may ask, Why would he do that?  

Well here's the answer in 1 Corinthians 1:27 (KJV)

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

The Message Version puts it this way?
Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”?

TODAY'S FOCUS:  A NOBODY CAN BE TURNED INTO SOMEBODY

HOW MANY NOBODIES YOU KNOW THAT HAVE TURNED INTO SOMEBODIES?

Let's name a few from scripture:

1. Joseph - From a slave, prisoner to the Governor
2. Moses - River baby with a stammer to lead and free God's people from bondage
3. Mary - Insignificant pheasant girl to the mother of the Christ child
4. Peter - Ordinary and unlearned fisherman to a disciple of Christ
5. Others.....

There are many who have fought for our country, made great inventions and have left a legacy that were from very humble, born and raised from very unfortunate conditions and those who where told they would never amount to anything have transformed and made a tremendous impact on our world and lifestyle.  

Can you think of some others in your community, church or family that will cause you to see the evidence of the above scripture?  

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are you looking in the mirror on a constant basis at the "not so perfect" things about yourself? (Are you wishing your nose was smaller/straighter, eyes would not be slanted/crossed, feet not so large/toes and toenails in line, smile/teeth not crooked, hair straighter/longer, face and features more becoming etc.....) 

What about your thoughts about you?  (Are you saying things like, I'm stupid, unintelligent, uneducated, unstable, poor, broke, not good enough, too fat/skinny, no body love me because of my....., I'll never be anybody etc...)

What are your wishes? (I wish I was...., I wish I had..., I wish I could....)

STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS! God made a "UNIQUE" you!  That's why your hand print is different and designed to fit you and you alone.  There's no other you because you are special to God.  Just as every painting is different in one way or the other but special to the artist and designer so are you to the Master Creator, Designer and God of the universe.  

APPRECIATE YOUR UNIQUENESS TO OTHERS AND  EMBRACE YOUR ABILITY TO DO WHAT OTHERS CANNOT DO.  

BE THANKFUL FOR THE LIFE YOU HAVE AND SAY......

I AM THANKFUL THAT HE CHOSE ME WITH ALL MY FLAWS AND IMPERFECTIONS TO MAKE ME SOMEBODY OF VALUE AND WORTH!

Remember that God is deliberate in His choosing.  He doesn't look for the perfect, flawless person or most educated to perform a task, but He chooses the "foolish" and weak things to show His strength and power and to "expose the shallowness and pretentions of the somebodies."  Know also that, HE WILL PERFECT ALL THAT CONCERNS YOU! 

God Bless and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel