A Woman’s Greatest Gift

 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works (Hebrews 10:24).

Other than Jesus, God’s greatest gift to women is our power to influence others. We have been influencing men since the Garden of Eden. Eve influenced Adam to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Whether it is for right or wrong, women have the power to influence men emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Jezebel influenced her husband, Ahab, as well as her children, and a vast majority of Israel to rebel against God by turning their hearts to worship other gods (1 Kings 21:25). And because of her influence, God denounced many of his servants that were called to be rulers over Israel. Abigail influenced King David not to kill her husband and her household through her hospitality and words of discretion (1 Samuel 25). Delilah influenced Samson to give up the secret to his God-given strength (Judges 16), which ultimately led to his downfall. Esther influenced King Ahasuerus to spare the life of her people (Esther 7).

I listened to the testimony of a man sharing how he spoke words of encouragement and life into his newborn, who was refusing to eat due to a birth defect. He was the only one that could get his son to eat. During his son’s feedings, he would speak life into him. His son healed after gaining a considerable amount of weight. When asked what made him think to do that, he said his wife speaks life into him, and her words make him strong and capable when he’s feeling weak. So let’s use our gift of influence to incite others to do good works, for their benefit and the edifying of God’s kingdom. Let’s not use our influence to manipulate others into getting what we want. Ladies’ if you are unsatisfied with your home life and the garden next door is looking lusher, ask yourself, “How is my influence impacting my spouse and my children? Is my influence manipulative, controlling, inspiring, or encouraging? Are my words supportive, thoughtful, considerate, kind, full of wisdom, and compassion? (Proverbs 31:26). Are my actions benevolent, affectionate, and hospitable?” The woman whose garden is burgeoning is influencing those around her to do good deeds; thus, her garden is more fruitful. If you plant good seeds, you will reap a plentiful harvest.

Before you begin your day, ask Jesus to help you use your words and actions to influence those around you to perform good works.

XOXO,

Jay

2020, a Bad Year or a Year of 20/20 Vision?

 

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he (Proverbs 29:18)

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and have written the year 2020 off as a bad year, ask Jesus to give you wisdom, discernment, knowledge, and understanding to see His work at hand. Two kingdoms exist, the kingdom of light (God’s Kingdom) and the kingdom of darkness (Satan’s Kingdom). It’s hard to see God’s hand at work when we’re straddling both kingdoms. Although there were significant losses this year due to Covid-19, there were many gains for the kingdom of light. Many people who passed this year went home to be with Jesus. Jesus told us in His Word that He will call many saints home during the great tribulation (Revelation 7:9-17). Ministries, businesses, and godly marriages are being birthed during this hour – all to bring God glory and to draw people to Jesus. Jesus has brought immorality, what’s being done in the dark, to the forefront of institutions while bringing forth the truth.

If we take the time to consciously look back over our year and consider the good and the bad, we’ll notice how God was with us every step of the way, closing and opening doors on our behalf (Romans 8:28)). Even if we have lost loved ones, consider those that went home to be with Jesus, now that’s a big win. If we don’t know anyone that went home to be with Jesus, then we should check our conversation and behavior. A follower of Jesus’s conversation and behavior should win others to Christ. As believers, we should be able to testify of how Jesus worked things out on our behalf.  It’s expected for an unbeliever to say that this year was horrible because they walk in the kingdom of darkness. But as Believers, we should see God’s hand at work in our personal lives, family, community, and around the world. Life for the Believer is about perspective. We can choose to have a 20/20 vision by spending more time with Jesus through prayer, reading, and studying the Word. Ask God what He wants you to focus on during this season, so you don’t miss what He’s doing in this hour. If all we can see is suffering and plight, what will our perspective be in the years to come? Ask Jesus what He wants you to focus on during the remaining days of this year so that you’ll have a better perspective going into the new year. 

XOXO,

 

Jay

The Wages of Sin is Death

 

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

Many followers of Jesus believe that God has given us the grace to overlook our sins, misunderstanding that grace isn’t a free pass to sin. The Bible defines grace as acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, joy, liberality, pleasure, and thanks. Grace is a gift that Jesus gives us that we do not deserve. We cannot work for grace or prove ourselves worthy. Jesus provides us with grace once we accept Him as our Savior. The biggest portion of His grace towards us is His forgiveness. We sin daily, unknowingly because we are part flesh (Romans 8:3) – the very thought of foolishness is sin (Proverbs 24:9). Because we were created in sin (Psalm 51:5), doesn't mean that we should go looking to sin. Once we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we became dead to sin. Sin no longer has dominion over us  (Romans 6). The Holy Spirit now resides in us, warning us before we sin, convicting, teaching, and correcting us after we sin. Once we know better, Jesus expects us to do better.

Grace fills in the gaps when we unintentionally mess up or sin out of ignorance, but once we come into the knowledge of knowing right from wrong, then Jesus holds us accountable for that knowledge (James 4:17). We are still accountable even if we choose not to receive the understanding of God’s precepts (Hosea 4:6). The same credence holds in the laws of man. For example, in the state of California, a convicted armed robber learns after the fact that she will face the death penalty for murder in an armed robbery. In the middle of a home robbery, her partner in crime shot and killed the resident after being alarmed. Although she did not commit the murder and was not aware that if a murder takes place during a robbery, she’ll still face the death penalty.

If you had a hectic morning and are running late to catch your train on time, Jesus may grant you grace and allow your train to arrive late, so you don’t miss it. But you don’t say to yourself, “Well, I got a few extra hours, I am going to sleep in late and pray that I catch the train on time tomorrow morning”.  Planning to sleep in late, knowing that you may miss the train, and expect God to hold the train for you is intentional – many believers apply this same logic to sin. They’ll plan to sin and then tell themselves that “Jesus is a forgiving God, He’ll forgive me.” However; we get upset when someone applies the same logic to us. For instance, if a husband plans to cheat on his wife and then tells himself, “My wife is a loving and forgiving person. I know she’ll take me back.” The husband's planning to cheat is called willful sinning, knowing that adultery is wrong. After having come into the knowledge of knowing right from wrong, there is no grace for willfully sinning (Hebrews 10:26). And there are no blessings for choosing to live a life of sin. Yes, Jesus is all-loving and forgiving, but the wages of sin is still death. Back to the scenario about the death penalty: the ruling judge may be a very nice person once you get to know her, but she still has to uphold the law even though the defendant wasn’t aware of the extent of her punishment. God has given Jesus the authority to judge (John 5:26-27). Jesus does not want to punish or send people to hell, but because of His authority, His faithfulness, and His character, He has to uphold His Word. Otherwise, He would be considered a God who is untrue to His Word, lacking integrity.

We have the power to choose life or death. So choose life. Choose Jesus.

 

XOXO,

 

Jay