Note: Before I get into Today’s Word, I want to share two quick things with you. First, it’s my wife’s birthday. So if you know Isabella personally or if you follow her on social media, please share your love with her today.
Second, I want to share with you how much I enjoy this. It has been said that if you discover what you love, and you live your life doing it, you will never work a day in your life. Well, since December 1997 I been sharing Today’s Word and I absolutely love it. I find true pleasure in doing what I was born to do. I was traveling home last night from the midwest and my flight was delayed, due to weather. I did not get home until about 2:30am. And after a brief nap, I am up doing what I love. When you discover God’s purpose for your life, the passion birthed from purpose becomes contagious. Everyone you meet will feel your passion. My prayer for you is that you find, follow and finish your purpose before you die. That you may discover, develop in and then deploy into your purpose. That said, now let’s get into the Word.
Today we continue our series entitled, “God Loves You”, under the overall theme for the year of, “Supernatural Manifestation.” For the past couple of days we looked at 1 John 4:16,17 and Galatians 5:6, with an emphasis on faith that works by love. Today we will continue to flow in the same vein.
The Apostle John said:
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)
The Apostle Paul said:
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
(Gal 5:6 KJV)
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. You must be convinced God loves you.
a) Earlier this week I had the chance to speak to 30(+) Army Signal Corps Warrant Officers. If you know anything about me, this is one of the things I truly love. God blessed me to serve 25 years in the United States Army and I am thankful for every minute of it (even the unpleasant times). After our main session, I was afforded the opportunity to host a mentoring session for the Warrant Officers. I am big on leadership, modeling and mentoring. As I spoke to them about some the things God blessed me to do during my military career and now my post-military career, I could not help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards God. The more I walk with God, the more I know how much He loves me.
b) My life was not supposed to turn out the way it has. I am the son of an immigrant, born in one of the most impoverished and violent neighborhoods in the country (East New York, Brooklyn) in 1972. My parents divorced when I was 3 years old. I saw the crack (cocaine) epidemic begin and grow all around me. I had a gun placed to my head at the tender age of 11. And my childhood was riddled with many other challenges. Somehow I made it out of Brooklyn and eventually became the man God called me to be. When I think about what God did for me through the Brooklyn phase of my life, what He did in the military phase, what He has done through me in ministry and what He is now doing both in ministry and the marketplace, I am often overwhelmed. God is far better to me that I deserve.
c) I am ONLY OPEN to all God wants to do in my life because I am convinced He loves me. Honestly, if it were not for the love of God, my heart could not even attempt to believe God for the things He has called me to do.
d) My best days are ahead of me. The doors God is opening for Isabella and I are amazing. And the ONLY reason I am open to the magnitude of the assignment is because I know God loves me. If I questioned His love, my faith would fail. Because if I ever attempted to live by faith based on my performance, my world would come crumbling down. I am only able to release my faith for all the things God wants to do in my life because my faith is rooted and grounded in God’s love for me.
2. God’s plans are so big that we often feel unworthy of them.
a) God is limitless, but we (in our flesh) are limited. This is why it is sometimes difficult for us to receive what God wants to do in our lives.
b) If you come with it, it will be too small for God! When God comes up with it, it is always too big for you! This is why you must know that He loves you.
c) Many times, God’s plans exceed your bank account, education and socio-economic status. This is where the love of God comes in. If you are not convinced God loves you, and that He wants to do what He said He would do in your life because He loves you, you will feel unworthy of the task and disqualify yourself from it in your own mind. However, God did not give you the assignment because you are so good. He gave it to you because He is so good.
d) When you get convinced that God loves you and that He wants to bless you by grace, not because you are worthy, you will then be in position to do the only thing He requires you to do… BELIEVE!
e) God’s plans for your life are a gift. All you can do with a gift is receive it. But since His plans are SO big that they often seem too good to be true, you must believe them first. Your job is to believe and receive God’s plans. Once you do, you can in position to pursue them by faith. See, you believe and receive them in your heart, and you then pursue them with your lips and your legs. When the words of your mouth are birthed from a believing heart, you will believe enough (in God’s goodness) to actually provide the requisite action required to SEE (in your hands) what you have BELIEVED (in your heart). But once again, you don’t provide the action based in your power or strength. You provide the action solely based in God’s love.
A closing note: Before I close, I want to invite those who are in the Northern Virginia area to my church this Sunday. I will be preaching at Victory Christian Ministries International – Virginia Campus (at 14015 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, VA) on Sunday morning. Our service starts at 10am. If you are in the area, please join us. You will be glad you did.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. My heart is open to Your best. All bets are off. All limits are gone. The challenges don’t matter anymore. Come what may, I know I will overcome, because Jesus already overcame. As Jesus is, so am I, in this world! I launch into this day, ready to be used of You to change the world, not because I am so good, but only because You love me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
