Category: Food For Growth

¹ Jesus entered Jericho and made His way through the town. ² There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. ³ He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. ⁵ When Jesus came by, He looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” He said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” ⁶ Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. ~ Luke 19:1-6^NLT

Jesus was passing through Jericho when Zacchaeus heard Jesus would soon be walking by. He knew that his height was an obstacle, but he wanted to see Jesus with everything that was in him. Zacchaeus didn’t let this obstacle keep him from seeing Jesus. No. Zacchaeus climbed a tree so that he might be able to see Jesus when He walked by. This is the same kind of determination we need to have.

Today, we all have obstacles. We all have something keeping us from seeing Jesus, but we all have a tree that we can climb. In fact, Jesus isn’t walking by. He isn’t passing through and then leaving our city. Jesus is knocking on the door of each and every one of our hearts. He’s calling to us. He’s begging us to follow Him. Today is the day of Salvation; tomorrow is promised to no man.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Climb Your Tree.

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⁴⁰ On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for Him. ⁴¹ Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with Him to come home with Him. ~ Luke 8:40-41^NLT

Jairus was the leader of the local synagogue. He was a very important man, but his faith needed Jesus to physically come with him to heal his dying daughter. Whereas the woman with the issue of blood was healed just by touching the fringe of Jesus’ garment. The Roman Centurion wasn’t a Jew in the slightest but had the greatest faith in all of Israel. Today is no different.

Our leaders talk a good talk and bring a good message but don’t believe in the power of God. Their faith is limited by their own beliefs and ideas. Whereas the common unknown person is seeing more healings, breakthroughs, and miracles than the leaders could ever dream of. Why? Because the abundance of head knowledge without the abundance of understanding is useless.

We have to have understanding of who God is and what He wants for us in order to see His glory work in our lives. If we just know a lot but don’t believe or put it into action, that knowledge is useless to us. It’s now just empty words that have no power or authority to save, heal, or redeem. If we want to see the glory of God, we have to have knowledge and understanding so that we can put it into action.

Dear LORD, please continue to bless us with knowledge, but please also bless us with understanding that we might put our knowledge into action. Help us not to just regard Your Word as empty, powerless words but as power and life itself. Grow our faith so that we might be like the Roman Centurion and the woman with the issue of blood. Help us to see signs, wonders, miracles, healings, and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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¹⁶ Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord: ¹⁷ Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. ¹⁸ And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” ¹⁹ Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?” ~ 2 Kings 20:16-19

Hezekiah was sick onto death, but prayed to God, and God had mercy on him and healed him and would add 15 more years to his life. So, the king of Babylon sent an envoy to Hezekiah, wishing him well because he had heard that he was seriously ill, but he had recovered. Hezekiah, filled with pride, took and showed the envoy all the treasures he possessed. All the treasure in his own palace and all the treasure in the Temple of his God.

God was not pleased with that, so God sent Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that the time was coming that all he had stored up from the time of his fathers until now would be taken away to Babylon, and even his own sons would be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. Then Hezekiah said, “That’s cool, I can deal with that. The word the LORD has spoken is good and acceptable to me.”

He was thinking that because it would not happen in his lifetime but in his son’s lifetime, it was a good prophecy. Com’on, dad, that was a really selfish thing to do. You would think that Hezekiah would be like his father, David, and pray for his son with Bathsheba. Although God had pronounced the judgment, David still pleaded with God for mercy. Because he knew God is a merciful God. But Hezekiah was like, “Better them than me.” When it was his fault that all of that would happen to them in the first place.

Dads don’t accept anything but the best for your children, even if it is their fault. Even if they brought it on themselves, we must pray and intercede for our children every morning and every evening. When we wake up and before we go to sleep, we must petition God on their behalf. God must hear the names of our children called before His throne every single day. They are our offspring. So, dads, let us not be selfish like Hezekiah and be labeled a Com’on dad, but intercede for our children every day.

Heavenly Father, please bless my children, and if they have sinned against You, please forgive them and deal with them in mercy and in grace. Watch over them and keep them from harm and from bad influences. Lead them in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Cover my children in the blood of Jesus, and give Your angels charge over them. Thank You, Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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⁶⁰ Many of His disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” ⁶¹ Jesus was aware that His disciples were complaining, so He said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶² Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? ⁶³ The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. ⁶⁴ But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and He knew who would betray Him.) ⁶⁵ Then He said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” ⁶⁶ At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him. ⁶⁷ Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” ⁶⁸ Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. ⁶⁹ We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” ~ John 6:60-69 NLT

Jesus made many disciples of those who would follow Him. Some of these were even chosen before the Twelve Apostles, yet they walked away because of a difficult teaching to grasp. Many of us in the Church today do the same thing. We want to follow Jesus. In fact, we’ve been following Him for many years. Some our whole lives, but then we come across something that we just can’t wrap our minds around, and it causes us to run from God instead of to Him. A very famous celebrity couldn’t come to grips with how God could be jealous, so she not only walked away from Him, but she created an entirely new religion. And in doing so, she has led so many others astray as well.

See, God’s thoughts are far above our thoughts. His ways are far above our ways. In other words, it’s difficult for us mere mortals to grasp all that Jesus said. So, instead of seeking God for understanding, we get upset and walk away. Many of us have down this. It could be a simple verse or an entire theology, but nevertheless, we walk away because of a lack of understanding. This is dangerous. Why? Because there’s no evidence that those disciples who did this repented and came back to follow Christ. The LORD warns that if we refuse to follow His ways, we’ll be given over to a reprobate mind. Therefore, love the LORD and all of His ways. Serve the LORD with gladness. He will never withhold good from you. His desire is for your good. Therefore, trust in Him, and He will guide you into paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Don’t Be Offended By The Word.

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¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name. ~ Acts 4:17

You’ve probably seen the text attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. Now whether he actually said this or not, I don’t know. But it is widely believed that he did.

Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary, use words.

It sounds so religious, so pious, Christians often quote it. They often publish it and republish it on their social media, and it sounds good. We should preach the Gospel always. But let’s break it down and unpack it a bit.

There is no denying that we are to preach the Gospel always, but, when necessary, use words? Is that Biblical? I believe it’s designed to shut up the Christian and fool them into being quiet. Why? Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.

How can they believe if they have never heard? To advocate us to be silent and not speak and teach in the name of Jesus is pure censorship. They intimidate us; they have hushed us up in the schools, they have hushed us up in the workplace, they have hushed us up in government, in our malls, in our stores; we can’t even say Merry Christmas because it’s politically incorrect to do so. It is silencing the Church, and the Church is called to be the voice of Jesus, the only way to God.

People often say that God doesn’t need us, but how can they hear if no one tells them? Sounds to me like God intended for us to be His mouthpiece. Jesus did His part. It is our turn now! How, then, can we be silent? God wants the whole world to know the way to salvation, and it’s through our preaching and our teaching. There is no other plan. None.

So, don’t let them silence you; you are called to preach the good news. How would you be saved right now if someone hadn’t taught you the way of holiness? It’s time for the Church to arise and stop being intimidated and shamed into being silent while our friends, our family, and our coworkers are going to an eternity of punishment. Stand strong in your faith. Spread the name of Jesus to anyone willing to listen. And never be ashamed of the Gospel.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Always Use Words.

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²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ~ Philippians 1:21

Live in the now, but live for the future. This is a difficult statement to understand. At first glance, it almost seems contradictory, but it’s no different than the statement, “Live in the world, but don’t be a part of the world.” We’ve been called out of the world, yet we’ve been called back into the world in order to witness to those still of the world. Therefore, as long as we live on this beautiful green earth the LORD has given to us, we must live in the present, for it is a gift from God. We have to enjoy the short time we have with our family and friends. We have to witness to as many people as possible. We have to constantly lift up the name of as many sinners and saints as possible through prayer in supplication. There is much to do in this short time on the earth, and the only way to do that is to live in the now.

But because this world will soon come to an end and with it, all of these temporary temptations will soon perish, we must live for the future. To live is Christ, and to die is gain. We’re living for a much greater and grander life. One that we cannot grasp or imagine. Therefore, while we should enjoy the blessings and gifts from God while on this earth, we must never get lost in the temptations and the pitfalls set before us. These temporary luxuries of this earth will not last. They’ll soon pass away, as will this earth. We live for a much greater reward than what the world can offer us, which is why we must store up treasure for ourselves in Heaven. A place where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Live In The Now But Live For The Future.

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² Attention! Let all the people of the world listen! Let the earth and everything in it hear. The Sovereign Lord is making accusations against you; the Lord speaks from His holy Temple. ³ Look! The Lord is coming! He leaves His throne in heaven and tramples the heights of the earth. ⁴ The mountains melt beneath His feet and flow into the valleys like wax in a fire, like water pouring down a hill. ⁵ And why is this happening? Because of the rebellion of Israel—yes, the sins of the whole nation. Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion? Samaria, its capital city! Where is the center of idolatry in Judah? In Jerusalem, its capital! ~ Micah 1:2-5 NLT

The whole world was judged because of one nation, divided into two. The nations of Israel and Judah brought condemnation upon the entire world. Their actions caused the wrath of God to come. In fact, it brought the accusations of God against the entire world. Why? Because Israel and Judah, being God’s chosen people, were His spiritual, moral thermometer in a sense. Because God dwelled with His chosen people, and no other nation did He make Himself known to in the same way, they became the soul of the whole world.

Today, that is the Church. We are the moral compass of the whole world. We are the soul of the whole world. Why? Because we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Therefore, if the light that is within the Church is actually darkness, how great is that darkness (Matthew 6:23)? The Church today has become so lukewarm and powerless that we have become the Church at Laodicea, that Jesus said He would spit out of His mouth.

The actions of the righteous have always either moved the hand of God towards wrath or rewards. Curses or blessings. Why? Because the righteous are the light, and if the light becomes darkness, then darkness takes over. Darkness reigns. Darkness overruns the Church and enslaves them, both physically and spiritually. This is why we, the Church, have to get down on our knees and repent for all of the sin we have allowed to enter into our homes, communities, towns, cities, states, and nations. We have to beg for forgiveness for being lukewarm, refusing to call sin sin, not praying or supplicating, not reading our Bibles or worshipping, for having hardened hearts, for being unfruitful, and for quenching the Spirit. We have to get our house in order so that we might be able to move the hand of God away from wrath as Moses, King David, King Rehoboam, and King Hezekiah did.

This is the mantle we have been passed. It’s on us to carry it and fulfill our duties as prayer warriors, the body of Christ, and the light in this dark and dying world. So, pick up your mantle and raise it high. Carry it with pride and high esteem that the LORD God would choose you to represent Him on this earth and to be a light in the darkness. Don’t be discouraged by the weight because when we are weak, that’s when He is strong. That’s when He carries us. That’s when He shoulders our burden. So, stand tall and don’t be discouraged or intimated. You have been chosen by God for such a time as this.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Carry Your Mantle.

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¹⁴ And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him. ~ 1 John 5:14-15

If you need something from Jesus, find it in Scripture, petition it before God, and believe that He will give it to you. The faith the size of a mustard seed, even though it is the smallest of seeds, is enough to move a mighty mountain because of Pentecost. Because the Spirit of the LORD has been poured down on us. Not just the Jews, not just the Gentiles, but all believers. All who are willingly to believe and follow Jesus have the Holy Spirit within them. And if they have the Holy Spirit within them, then they have the power of the Holy Spirit within them just waiting to be fanned. Just waiting to be stirred up.

We have all been given a Spiritual Gift. Not just the early Church. No. These Spiritual Gifts are for all generations. Why? How do we know? Because the Spirit of the LORD Himself has been poured out on all of mankind. Because Jesus has overcome the grave, and there is power in the name of Jesus. There is power in the Church, but only if we fan the flame instead of quenching it. And this is Pentecost Sunday, a time for signs, wonders, miracles, and many acts of healing.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Come Receive The Power of The Spirit.

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¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. ~ Mark 16:17-18

I heard a story about an eagle who lived his life as a chicken. It goes like this:

A pair of eagles made their nest on a large mountainside. They had 2 large eggs inside the nest. One day, an earthquake rocked the mountain, causing one of the eggs to roll down to a chicken farm located in the valley below. The farmer found the eagle egg and placed it under one of his setting hens. Eventually, the eagle egg hatched along with all the other chicks, and a beautiful eagle was born. Being chickens, the chickens raised the eagle to be a chicken. The eagle loved his home and his family, but it seemed his spirit always cried out for more.

One day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a mighty and majestic bird soaring high above. “Oh,” the eagle cried, “I wish I could soar like that bird.” The chickens roared with laughter, “You cannot soar like those. You are a chicken, and chickens do not soar.” The eagle continued staring at his real family soaring high up above, dreaming that one day he could be just like them. Every time the eagle talked about his dreams of soaring high above the clouds, he was told it is impossible, it will never happen, you are nothing more than a chicken, and chickens cannot soar.

Eventually, the eagle accepted what he was taught and learned to believe it. After a while, the desire of the eagle to soar was quenched, and he stopped dreaming and just continued to live his life as a chicken. Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away, never living up to his full God-given potential.

We, Christians, are full of God-given potential. We are called to make disciples of Christ. That means that we are called to heal the sick, raise the dead, and to drive out demons. But the chickens say signs and wonders ceased when the last Apostle died. They try their best to discourage eagles from expanding their wings of faith. Keep your wingspan short, they say.

Some chickens even believe in healing but refuse to drive out demons. They have nothing to do with the casting out of demons, and just to talk about it makes them sick to their stomachs. They expect us, with so much potential. With so much authority. With such a wide wingspan. With so much mountain-moving faith to live our life as chickens. We are not called to scratch the ground, pecking for our food, eating whatever we find. We are called to soar high above the clouds seeing for miles and miles and miles. We are eagles. Our potential is for greater things than even Jesus did (John 14:12).

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Don’t Settle For Being A Chicken.

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¹⁷ Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, ¹⁸ and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. ¹⁹ Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. ~ Daniel 2:17-19^NLT

Daniel’s gift was the interpretation of visions and dreams, not the telling of visions and dreams. Nevertheless, he prayed for that gift. He sought higher and greater gifts than he was given. And the LORD not only heard his prayer, He answered it.

Daniel didn’t look at the times he was in and say to himself, “This is impossible.” No. Daniel looked only to his God and said, “All things are possible for those who believe.” His faith was strong. He knew in whom he believed. Daniel sought what no one else was given. He didn’t think it was prideful. He didn’t think it to be selfish to seek what no one else had. No, Daniel understood that God desires to give us good gifts from above. Gifts that will help us and make us grow closer to Him.

God promises that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. So, begin to seek God with all that’s in you. Seek out His wisdom, His fruit, His gifts, and His understanding. Begin to seek Him. When you earnestly seek God and His kingdom, your life begins to change. You begin to change. And God begins to use you in ways you didn’t think possible. Don’t settle for what you have. Always seek more from God; that’s why He came, to give life and life more abundantly.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Ask For More.

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