Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Rise and Shine, Beloved…

Rise and Shine, Beloved…

Beloved, buckle down and keep on believing in your God’s love, goodness, and mercy towards you, no matter how rough or tough it gets in your life…

Many of us have always been taught, “The Lord won’t put more on you than you can bear.” In this season for many, things, concerning this life, will get worse before they get better and for many they have been bad for a long while. But, If HE doesn’t change our circumstances that we may endure; HE will change us that we may endure our circumstances…

HE never promised us that we would never go through pain or hardship, HE did promise us He would be with us always, even until the end…

And you, Beloved, certainly may be stretched by stress. But let your stress stretch you to stretch up to Him, calling out, “Father, I stretch my hands to Thee, No other help I know; If Thou withdraw Thyself from me, Ah! Whither shall I go?

I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:5

O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine…When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee…For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour…Isaiah 43:1-3

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
11/8/11

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Rise and Shine

Rise and Shine, Beloved… Beloved, today enjoy your precious life… All life is precious, because the Creator of all life is precious.

Men ascribe value to things made based on the reputation or skill of the maker. Beloved, your Maker is God, His reputation is glorious and out of this world and He does all things well. God ‘don’t make no junk’. You were preciously made.

Men ascribe value to things based on what men are willing to pay to possess it. But, when things are wrecked, the value decreases, even if repaired the worth is never the same. But consider how much God was willing to pay for us, though sin had wrecked each of us. The Father was willing and did give His precious only begotten Son, who gave His precious life, giving His precious body willingly to His persecutors to be broken, and shedding His precious blood being nailed to the cross, because to Him, our souls, out of all the things men call valuable and beautiful on the earth, was the most precious of all. The sacrifice He made to redeem your soul is precious.

Because of our habits, hang-ups, and hindrances, the taunts of our fears, foes, and failures, we don’t always feel precious. But because of He who created us and what He did to save us, regardless our sin and shame, to Him our souls are precious. If God sees you as precious, all that’s left for us to say is, “AMEN!”

His care of you has been precious. He has beheld every step, breathed with you every breath. He has been there, though we have not always regarded Him, He has regarded us, longing to know us and reveal Himself to us, in a personal way, that we might know Him and experience life in His eternal presence.

Beloved, enjoy your precious life. Do know you can increase your value. Give yourself to Jesus to save you, sanctify you, set you apart in His service, and satisfy you early, often, and forever with His precious mercy, grace, and love.

Oh, how precious is the name of JESUS…

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
11/3/11

Monday, October 31, 2011

Always Trust GOD...

I confess that in many situations or circumstances, I don’t always know how…I don’t always know how long…I don’t always know how much…I don’t always know when…I don’t always know where…I don’t always know why…but I ALWAYS know who and what to do—TRUST GOD…

Must be a bum…

Don’t be put off by the putdowns of proud, prickly people…But, be perpetually persuaded to persist in your God-given purpose to the praise of your preeminent Heavenly Father…

For [the proclaiming of] this [Gospel] I was appointed a herald (preacher) and an apostle (special messenger) and a teacher of the Gentiles. And this is why I am suffering as I do. Still I am not ashamed, for I know (perceive, have knowledge of, and am acquainted with) Him Whom I have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on), and I am [positively] persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed [to Him] until that day. 2 Timothy 1:11-12 Amp

Must be a bum…

A little lady who I thought was nice, being a churchgoer and all, most certainly, in her own mind, of more impeccable character and moral standing than myself; bum rushed me with the musing of her heart that unconsciously or purposely with evil intent emanated from her mouth in regards to me, “must be a bum.” Her thinking was that I spent too much time volunteering at my children’s school…I was more grieved for her lack of self-control and judgmental spirit than angry at the arrogant, blind eruption of her lips.

By the grace of God, I am more trained by the Sprit in heart, mind, and mouth to turn negatives into positives, and to be discerning.

In the same setting that this outwardly prim and proper person judged me improperly and unfairly, not knowing me and not caring to know me, an eleven year old, bright eyed young person, happy to see me told me how blessed he was to have read my book, exclaiming emphatically, “It was very good!”

Jesus, Himself, experienced the needling of the mindless musings of dark hearted men lacking self control as He was volunteering His body, in sacrifice to help lift others up…They, through their hate filled mocking, tried to provoke Him to come down from the cross, but He was doing a good work and HE couldn’t come down…He was not dissuaded from the Father’s will.

And my brothers and my sisters, neither should we be dissuaded from doing the duty of fulfilling our calling regardless to whether folk accept us or not…Do know that Satan, the adversary and enemy of our God and His children, will use his emissaries to try to irk us to anger, turn us from truth, fool us to cease from following the Lord’s way, and deter us from being dutiful to our God… But let us make up our mind to stick and stay with the Lord.

And I am a B-U-M, but not according to her definition…
I am Blessed to be God’s child…
I am Undeterred from fulfilling my calling…
I am Moving forward in Jesus to greater works…

And…Ain't gonna let nobody, Lordy, turn me round,
Turn me round, turn me round,
Ain't gonna let nobody, Lordy, turn me round,
I'm gonna keep on a-walkin', Lord, keep on a-talkin', Lord,
Marching up to freedom land.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
10/30/11

Rise and Shine

Rise and Shine, Beloved… Be strong today and everyday, Beloved, for your God has commanded it so…

Many acknowledge being weak, but never attempt to grow in strength. The devil has deceived some that being weak is where it’s at. Many accept being weak, for it is a ready excuse to stay at status quo, to avoid the challenges of growing in strength, and to avoid the responsibilities of being strong. The Lord knows this, so HE commands, “let the weak say, I am strong.” God’s will is for you to be strong.

How? Not for the praise of men, not in your means, nor by any fleshly efforts or worldly principles, but by faith in God to the praise of God… Being strong in HIM and all the love and grace, HE provides. Doing it in the strength, He provides. In HIM is everlasting strength.

Feed on HIS faithfulness to you; meditate on all the victories HE has brought to pass in your life. Feed on HIS empowering word, daily reading, reflection, commitment to memory, acting upon it. Be fueled, led by HIS Spirit and your love for Jesus. Walk in obedience to HIS commands. Pray for strength. Seek a mentor strong in faith. No matter how weak you may be, say to yourself as the Lord has commanded, “I am strong.” These things will make you strong.

And not just simply be strong, but, “Be strong and of a good courage...” So the Lord says be strong and brave. You may be weak, but be courageous and endeavor to grow, endeavor to mature, endeavor to reflect all that God is and has called you to be in your life. Know that being strong really is about knowing that God is your all and your everything and that He loves you everlastingly and has promised to always be there for you.

Beloved, BE STRONG today…

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11

But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the Lord which HE did…Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it… Deuteronomy 11:7-8

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
10/31/11

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.I asked for health that I might do greater things.I was given infirmity that I might do better things.I asked for riches that I might be happy.I was given poverty that I might be wise.I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.I was given life that I might enjoy all things.I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
Author unknown

Thursday, October 27, 2011

God’s choice for M-V-P…

God’s choice for M-V-P…

Why me? Why I gotta do everything? Be there for everybody? Why do I have to be the most responsible one?...Be there to guide, be there to chide and so oft to have my judgment and motives questioned and many times without much of a thank you…Why me?

Well, let’s see…God called you, sanctioned, and sanctified you by His Spirit as an MVP…

You got POWER…Influence and authority are yours by the hand of God upon you…You know how to get stuff done and you know how to get the right people to do it—You get results…

You got VISION…You can see stuff that most around you can’t…You understand how it is, you perceive how it should be, and you are able to help those who will listen to buy in and together, achieve, getting done those things that are necessary and those things that are extraordinary…

You got MOTIVATION…The God in you keeps you going for those who depend on you would hardly go anywhere if you were not there being you, doing what you do…A strong sense of righteousness and the Word and the Spirit keep you in check and keep you moving forward though sometimes you may feel like throwing your hands up and throwing in the towel…

We’re only human, we wear down and occasionally feel worn out…It’s alright to get tired in the work, but don’t you dare get tired of the work…

God anointed, appointed, and positioned you for the work in the midst of the people in your life and He graced you with all you need to succeed…And yes, He expects you to do well, regardless of your hell…

John 15:16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Luke 12:48…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Pray through and press on…

RevLDReed
I Owe Jesus
10/27/11

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Mount up with wings as eagles…

Mount up with wings as eagles…

A blessed wonder in nature to me is to behold a bird on high, marvelously gracing the sky…Not flapping, not flailing, just effortlessly riding on the breeze with glorious ease…To go higher, a simple adjustment of the wings acts as an elevator taking one up to the next level…Trusting God to maintain the flow, while exploring with a breathtaking view, the tremendous opportunity below…Wings stretched wide, enjoying the ride…

Believer, such should we be… Unleashed, free to be…Riding on the empowering breeze of the Spirit…Not flapping, nor flailing, trying by our own efforts to stay afloat, but trusting the Almighty God, who is unfailing…With Him, life is smoother for sailing, mountains are easier for scaling, and to the highest heights with Him, is where we are destined to go…Let go and let GOD and fly like an eagle, with power, anointing, purpose, and grace…

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint… Isaiah 40:28-31

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
10/26/11

Monday, October 24, 2011

In her eyes…

In her eyes…

The wonder of the work of God…
The refinement of a lady…
The glow of an adoring mother…
The creativity of a wise artisan…
The delight of a passionate lover…
The resolve of a prize fighter…
The courage of a conqueror…
The warmth of a merciful soul…
The joy of a lover of life…
The devotion of a loving wife…
The hard work of the human experience…
The hope of a child of God…

In her eyes, I see life, virtuous, vulnerable, variable, voluminous, life…

...she shall be called Woman...Gen 2:23

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
10/24/11

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

You’re welcome…

You’re welcome…

Though I didn’t always hear thank you, for sacrifices, I made…Though you may not have grasped the total price, I paid…You’re welcome…Though, you didn’t hear all the prayers, I sent up, crying out to God on your behalf, late at night—I stayed up…You’re welcome…While things didn’t always work out the way I wanted them to, I tried to give and do my best for you…You’re welcome…To tell you the truth, I would do it all over again, Simply because, I love you from a place way down, deep within…You’re welcome…

p.s. And, I really, really, really do love and will always be there for Y-O-U…And it ain't nothin' you can do about it...And you’re welcome…

Sincerely Yours…

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
9/13/11

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Love, at this Moment…

Love, at this Moment…

Love, at this moment, while you can.
We know not what’s in tomorrow’s plan.
Love actually, let there be no deceit.
Deceit embitters, souring that once so sweet.
Love wholeheartedly, hold nothing back,
Lest love fail as a train derailed from its tracks.
Love duly; guard your heart from being unruly.
Break not the heart of those who love you truly.
Love passionately, keep aflame blessed desire.
Let the warmth of your love, stoke others’ fire.
Love, at this moment; take not love for granted.
It is heartbreaking when love is recanted.

At this Moment, Love…

…love one another with a pure heart fervently…
1 Peter 1:22

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
9/6/11

Monday, September 5, 2011

I wish you love...

I wish you love…



I wish you blessings,


As the budding of Spring,


A memorable melody,


That stirs your heart to sing.


Above all, I wish you love.



I wish you a will,


To pursue your dreams,


To overcome your challenges,


No matter how hard it may seem.


Above all, I wish you love.



I wish you good friends,


With great conversation,


To share your joys,


Gladly giving you an ovation.


Above all, I wish you love.



I wish you warm sunny days,


With deep blue skies.


But when tears fall like rain,


May another be near to dry your eyes.


Above all, I wish you love.



I wish you comforting shelter,


From life’s storm and rain,


Heartening consolation,


In your seasons of pain.


Above all, I wish you love.



I wish you the kind of love,


Which enriches and endears,


As the love of God from heaven above,


All embracing, eradicating all fears.


Above all, I wish you love.



I wish you love…



…And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God... Ephesians 3:19



RevLDReedSr


I Owe Jesus


9/5/11



The Bitter and the Sweet

The Bitter and the Sweet

Discern—the journey of life is complete though sculpted of parts bitter and parcels sweet…

Though most truly long for and love the sweet—better, there are times you must endure events and/or seasons of bitter to get to the sweet that you may savor the better…

But there is power to be had in the times of bitter, for though it be a point or period of bitter, if you sincerely, purposely meditate on the sweet, you can feel the comfort of the better…

Tis better to ponder the sweet WORD of God even when the times are bitter…

Psalms 119:103. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalms 19: 7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

RevLDReedSr
I Owe Jesus
9/5/11