Category: The Legacy of Faith

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Hymn

Contentment is about embracing the present and appreciating what we have, rather than constantly craving more. It is a state of inner peace and satisfaction of the present moment. In a world that constantly tells us we need more to be happy, it’s essential to align our views with Scripture’s perspective on contentment as believers “Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬b NIV‬‬. This scripture reminds us that a grateful heart and the knowledge of God’s presence are the greatest treasures we can have.

Take stock of what God has given you – good health, loving relationships, opportunities, and experiences. Focus on the blessings you’ve received, rather than what’s lacking. Cultivate contentment and find peace in God’s faithfulness. When we live with gratitude and trust, we’re empowered to make a positive impact, serve others, and live with purpose. Let’s shift our focus today to what God has already done in our lives and trust His provision for our future.

✝️ May we cultivate a heart of contentment today🙇‍♀️🥰

It’s astonishing how the negative chatter in our minds can stifle the greatness within us, greatness that was divinely ordained to bless the world and bring glory to God’s Name. Just as seemingly harmless habits like regular junk food consumption or inadequate rest can silently sabotage our daily productivity and, over time, morph into a lifestyle that stifles growth and hinders progress, doubt can quietly seep into our minds, whispering fears and uncertainties that obstruct our faith and prevent us from embracing the blessings God has lovingly prepared for us – blessings that require faith to access and unlock.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”James‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ This verse clearly highlights the consequences of doubt: those who doubt should not anticipate receiving anything from God. This serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role faith plays in receiving God’s blessings, and how doubt can be a significant obstacle. Beloved, let your prayers be fueled by faith, not doubt for our Father’s ability exceeds our imagination and requests. I may not know the details of what you’re trusting God for, but I do know our God is capable.

✝️The only limit to your blessings is your own mindset – trust Him fully!🙇‍♀️

Ever noticed how people who throw their whole heart into something often achieve their goals? It’s not just reflective – science backs it up, showing that wholehearted effort is a key driver of satisfaction and success. But what’s even more remarkable is the unwavering faithfulness and love of God, which isn’t dependent on our actions or shortcomings. The Scripture beautifully captures this truth: God loved the world so much that He gave His Son, so that we might be saved and enjoy eternal life with Him. If God’s love isn’t based on our performance, then what’s the best way to live out His commands? Surely, it’s by embracing them wholeheartedly, with sincerity and passion, as an expression of our gratitude for His endless love and mercy.

As Colossians 3:23 reminds us, ‘Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.’ This principle calls for a wholehearted approach in all aspects of life – in our conversations, relationships, work, and experiences – with the ultimate goal of glorifying God. To live this way, we need to let go of resentment and bitterness, embracing forgiveness and grace instead. When grief weighs us down, we should seek the Lord’s healing touch on our hearts, so we can spread hope and joy. Even when our efforts go unappreciated by others, we must pray for the grace to continue doing what God has called us to do, trusting that He sees and rewards our faithfulness. This is the path to living a life that truly honors Him.

✝️Let’s seize each moment, whether private or public, to bring glory to God🙇‍♀️🙏

An alabaster box is a delicate container crafted from a fine-grained, translucent stone, historically used to store precious ointments and perfumes. This beautiful vessel serves as a powerful metaphor for our role in God’s plan. Just as alabaster boxes were reserved for valuable contents, the Lord Jesus has chosen us to be special vessels, carrying His precious anointing to bring light, liberation, and the manifestation of His glory to a world in need. However, to fulfill this purpose, we must be willing to be molded and shaped by God, allowing Him to transform us into the vessels He needs us to be.The true value of something precious lies not in its storage, but in its use.

“Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.”John‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬. Mary taught us a powerful lesson of surrender and worship. She didn’t just bring her best; she broke the alabaster jar, releasing the fragrance and surrendering it all to Jesus. As the house was filled with the scent, we see that true worship and surrender require us to let go of our attachment to our gifts, talents, and resources. It’s not enough to offer God our best; we must also be willing to break it at His feet, signifying total surrender. When we do, the fragrance of what we carry – our gifts, our passions, our lives overflows and fills our communities and the world. This was also a declaration of devotion, a sacrifice of her most precious possession. She chose to honor Jesus above all else, even above the criticism and judgment of others. As we follow Jesus, we are called to similar surrender, laying down our lives, our dreams, and our desires at His feet.

As we reflect on Mary’s example, let us ask ourselves: ✝️ What are we holding onto that prevents us from fully surrendering to God? ✝️What jars of perfume, what gifts and talents, what dreams and desires are we reluctant to break at His feet?
🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️I encourage us to break it all at His feet and allow the fragrance of brokenness impact the world around us

Unity is a powerful force capable of making anything stand. While the world acknowledges this principle, the church often finds itself struggling to achieve it. Instead of lifting each other up in love and support, there are times when we tear each other down. The enemy is well aware of unity’s power and seeks to distract us through competition and confusion, furthering his own agenda. In the upper room experience described in the Bible (Acts 1-2), we witnessed the power of unity in action. The gathered believers were united in heart and purpose, and this unity had a profound impact on them. They experienced a remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and there was a sense of no lack among the people – spiritually and physically – as they shared and cared for one another.

Also in the book of Psalms, chapter 133,The scripture says, “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.” This powerful passage of scripture highlights the importance of unity in the lives of those who belong to God. It reminds us that harmony among brethren is like the anointing oil that breaks yokes, brings deliverance, and ushers us into the supernatural touch of God. It reminds us that unity is like a refreshing dew that revives and refreshes the soul and spirit of God’s people. In such an atmosphere of unity and harmony, the power of God moves at will without any hindrance and His blessings are pronounced in abundance.

✝️ In this season, brethren, I urge all of us to pursue unity fervently. Let us let go of anything that hinders harmony among us. By doing so, we cultivate an atmosphere where God’s power can move freely, bringing transformation, revival, and the manifestation of His glory.

Nurturing a relationship requires mutual understanding and attention to each other’s likes, dislikes, and details. Investing time and effort is key to deepening our bond with one another. A wise saying goes that relationships with deep roots withstand the test of time. This is especially true for our relationship with God, which is the most significant and eternal commitment we’ll ever make. Let’s prioritize this relationship, recognizing its eternal impact, and not let temporary connections overshadow what truly lasts.

Daniel 11:32b says, ‘But they that know their God shall be strong and do exploits.’ This powerful scripture reminds me that knowing God intimately is the key to doing great things for Him. Many believers envy the accomplishments of other believers who have dedicated themselves to seeking God, but this verse reveals the secret: it’s not just about the works, it’s about knowing the One who empowers us. When we prioritize building a deep relationship with God, He equips us to do greater things than we ever thought possible. Just like a child learning to walk, our journey with God begins with small steps of devotion and surrender. Let’s seek Him with all our hearts and watch how He empowers us to do exploits for His glory.

✝️ May we be inspired to deepen our relationship with God today.

As the king said in Luke 19:26, “Yes,’ to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. This scripture highlights a crucial truth: everyone is entrusted with something by God, no matter how small it may seem. It’s not about the quantity or perceived significance of what we’ve been given, but rather about being faithful stewards of what we have. Many of us believers, overlook the opportunities, relationships, and roles we’ve been given, comparing them unfavorably to more traditional or visible forms of ministry. Yet, the Bible reminds us that we will be held accountable for how we used what we were given here on earth. As we stand before God, will we have used our time, talents, and resources wisely, or will we have let them go to waste? The end is near, and the question remains: what account will we render to God?

✝️ May we be strengthened by the HolySpirit to be faithful stewards no matter how small or big.

When an athlete crosses the finish line, their voice and expression radiate joy and excitement – they shine from the inside out knowing for sure that their hard work indeed paid off. Every athlete knows that success requires rigorous preparation physically, mentally, and emotionally and they also understand that the journey demands patience, endurance, discipline, self-control, trust, and above all faith. Parallel to our faith journey as believers, we’re like athletes training for eternity. While our ultimate victory is secured through Christ’s sacrifice, our journey still requires endurance and obedience. We must trust the process, cultivating patience, self-control, and faith. Unlike athletes, our outcome is guaranteed if we persevere and follow God’s commands. Our journey isn’t just about reaching eternity, but about honoring God and living out our purpose every step of the way.

“1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified”. This passage emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and endurance in our walk with God. Each believer has a unique purpose and strategy ordained by God, Just as athletes tailor their training, we must pursue our specific calling with discipline and purpose, ultimately honoring God and drawing others to Him. Let’s endure to the end, no matter our specific calling or strategy, to receive God’s promises – both now and in eternity.

✝️Whatever challenges come your way, keep pushing forward; for your prize awaits you.

Conviction is the deep-seated confidence in our values, faith, or purpose that drives our actions. While external voices may influence us, it’s the inner voice that must ultimately guide us. Our journey on earth is more spiritual than physical, which requires us to tune into God’s guidance within. Seeking wise counsel is essential, but we must discern what aligns with the Spirit’s leading. History shows us that even Jesus faced opposition by religious leaders, yet His conviction kept Him going. Similarly, Paul’s story serves as a reminder that human backing without God’s conviction can lead us astray. When God empowers us for a purpose, we need both His conviction and the support of others. However, our actions must always align with His will, not just human expectations.

Acts 4:19 showcases the unwavering conviction of Peter and John, who boldly declared, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it’s right in God’s eyes to obey you rather than God.’ This powerful stance reminds us that our loyalty to God’s calling supersedes human expectations. As we pursue the purposes God has entrusted to us, we’ll inevitably face opposition. Yet, we’re called to press on with conviction, trusting that God’s provision accompanies His commission. Even when we can’t see the way forward, His mighty arm is always at work, making a way for us to fulfill our calling. Brethren, I urge you to reflect on the calling that’s been on your heart. Is there something the Lord has been nudging you towards, but you’ve put on the backburner due to fear of what others might say or doubts about its potential impact? I want to remind you that your Father is a God of possibilities. He can take the smallest step of faith and turn it into something life-changing. Don’t let fear or doubt hold you back. Consider the potential, and take that step of faith. Your obedience could be the catalyst for something amazing.

✝️ Let conviction drive your Christian journey 🙇‍♀️

There is a song, I would like us to meditate on briefly today….No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand. Till He returns or calls me home, here in the love of Christ I’ll stand..These lyrics remind us of the assurance and certainty we have in Christ’s love. As believers, we often face challenges that overwhelm us. For some, it might be guilt over past mistakes, feeling distant from God. For others, it could be the grief over losing a loved one, struggling to feel God’s presence. Some may wonder if God’s love is real amidst life’s struggles, but I want to encourage you today: God cares about you more than you can imagine. His love is unwavering, and He’s always present, even in our darkest moments.

“As Romans 8:38-39 reminds us, ‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. When life’s challenges overwhelm you, I urge you to fix your eyes on Jesus. God’s plans often surpass our understanding, and what may seem daunting will ultimately workout for our good. Recall times when you thought you’d never make it through, yet here you are. God’s love remains constant, His presence unwavering. He prioritizes our well-being above all else. Let this truth anchor your soul: God’s agenda prevails, and His love endures. Whenever doubts creep in, reflect on His faithfulness and the miracles He’s worked in your life.

✝️ Let’s hold onto the truth that we’re secure in Christ’s love, and nothing can separate us from it.❤️