Category: Ministry

It is finished

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” John 19:30

Webster defines procrastination as “the action of delaying or postponing something.” Often times we procrastinate because the task that needs to be done is something that is unpleasant or tedious. We will find excuse after excuse as to why we just simply don’t want to complete the task, often procrastinating until the last minute, and then we finally realize that “I’ve got to get this done!”

Procrastination will and can rob anyone from having the feeling of completion. Procrastination really is finding ways to avoid doing a task which needs to be done. It is also stalling, being hesitant, or delaying something because it is something that may be unpleasant or boring to do. When a person avoids doing a task that needs to done, or continues to find excuses not to do something, they are in the act of procrastinating. Waiting until the last minute to get something done is the “fruit” of procrastination.

At the tender young age of twelve, Jesus was focused on completing what He was sent by God to do. When He and his parents travelled to Jerusalem to celebrate the yearly Feast of the Passover, when it was time for them to leave, Jesus was found in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking questions”. Luke 2:46

Upon finding her son, she asked Him, “Son why have you done this to us? Look your father and I have sought you anxiously”. (Luke 2:48). In verse 49, Jesus responded, Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?

Jesus did not procrastinate, or lose His focus on completing His Father’s business. Imagine if He procrastinated about going to the cross? What would have happened if Jesus found ways to avoid being crucified or waited until the last minute to go to Calvary?

Our Lord and savior dwelt here on earth among us and was a living example of what it truly means to finish whatever He started. We as the children of God, should learn from the example that Jesus set.  We should remain focused on the task at hand and put forth the effort to finish what we start regardless of the cost, the difficulty, or the tediousness of the task. Once we have completed the task, we not only will have a sense of accomplishment, but we will be able to say just like our Savior, “It is finished”.   

Lord Jesus, help us to follow Your example of completing what is set before us. Give us strength so that we will not procrastinate and instead give us the ability to complete the tasks that lie before us. Give us a sense of accomplishment and allow our works to always bring favor to others and more importantly, glory to You. In Jesus name, Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Steps becoming more than a Conqueror

Romans 8:37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

First step “Claim the victory”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Second step “Obtain the strength that you will need from the correct source”

2^nd Corinthians 10:3-4 and 5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. Vs 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, Vs 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”

Third step “Dress correctly for protection and use the right weapons to become victorious”

Ephesians 6:10-17 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.“

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 ¶ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Fourth step “Vision yourself as being more that a conqueror”

Romans 8:38-39 “for I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—-beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, Vs 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  [Amplified version]

The term “more than a conqueror” means that someone not only has achieved a victory, but are overwhelmingly victorious leaving no doubt as to who not only won the battles, but also who won the war.

When a person is considered to be “more than a conqueror”, they are sometimes seen as; a winner, a hero, a subduer, a vanquisher, a victor, and defeater.

When the enemy comes in like a flood, and a person is facing trials in their lives, it looks like the odds are against you, take a moment to remind yourself that greater is He that is in you, than he who is in the world, then look at yourself as being “more than a conqueror” and claim the victory.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the authority and power to be “more than conquerors”, in your precious name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Worry

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body not more than clothing?” (Amp)

Jesus covered several topics in His sermon on the mount. In Matthew chapter 6 verses 25 to 27, Jesus speaks about worrying, and makes it very clear that worrying about anything does not line up with having faith in God. He also gives several examples of God’s provision for all creation.

Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow (seed) nor (reap the harvest) nor gather (the crops) into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not much more than they? (AMP)

Matthew 6:30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is (cut and) thrown (as fuel) into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! (AMP)

When a person is worried about something, they are showing a lack of faith and trust that God is in control of what happens.

Worrying is saying “I know what you said God, but…”

Worrying is saying “I believe you are in control of what happens God, but…”

Worrying is not trusting God.

A simple definition of worry is; Thoughts that are being focused on the outcome of something (often expecting negative results), when the person that is worrying has no control over what the outcome will be.

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.” (AMP)

Worrying can cause anxiety…anxiety can cause stress…stress can cause depression…depression can cause worry. Worrying can cause a person to run in a circle going no where, if that person allows worry to control or consume them. Worrying is not healthy or good for you.

Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good [encouraging] word makes it glad.” (AMP)

Whatever happens, can only happen if God allows it to happen.

1st Peter 5:7 “Casting all your cares [all anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him for him for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. (AMP)

When worry is replaced with prayer, it is a demonstration of having both trust and faith in almighty God.

Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the LORD [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). (AMP)

Lord Jesus, I give you all of my cares, and put both my trust and faith in you. In Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev