Good Soil

Good  morning to all on this beautiful Tuesday. I am up and praising God before I do anything else because it is He who sustains me. I made it home safely from Orlando and miss the Kai-meister already. God is blessing that child already.  We serve and awesome God and I know for myself that I can't stop praising His name above all others because He is worthy!

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 13 today, verses 1-23, "That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around Him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then He told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear." The disciples came to Him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:  'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." Amen and amen!

What more is there to be said. We are to SOW, that is how the Kingdom of Heaven is built here on earth. God will add the increase. Pray for those who have closed first their minds and then their hearts to the Word and Love of God and be thankful that when the Seed was sown in your life, it fell on the Good Soil because you first understood IT with your mind, Accepted IT with your heart and your Soul was saved because of the precious sacrifice of our Lord. Have a blessed day and I thank Jesus for you!

Stephanie

Your Heart is the Key!

Good morning to all from Orlando Florida! Waine and I drove on Saturday to see the Kai-meister and his family. We have had a wonderful frenetic weekend with this little tike who changes right before your eyes. He seemed to grow each day and learn new skills and words. We are blessed to have him in our lives and I pray daily for his security in the Kingdom. I will be driving back to Atlanta today without my beloved so pray for traveling mercies for me. Waine is doing some business in Miami. God is good today and each day and I am amazed how He blesses each and everyone of us on a daily basis.

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 12 today verses 38-49, "Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you." He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here. When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation. While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Amen and amen!

Christ was at this point disappointed that despite all His miracles and teachings, there were those that continued to close their hearts to the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. He certainly was sowing seeds of faith daily and some of the seeds fell on the hearts of men and women who responded by exercising their faith. These men and women understood and excepted Jesus as the Son of God and went on to become part of the band of early Christians, many of who were sacrificed on earth and live now at the right hand of God the Father. Many seeds fell on closed hearts or hearts filled with the evil spirit of Satan and remained closed. These folk will be judged harshly on that last day of judgement. Christ also began to fore tell of his death and resurrection and I am sure  most folk didn't understand however this is the key, Christ never let the lack of understanding of His audience influence Him or His message. Christ understood His mission and understood that His  mission was Kingdom building, everyday all day. Even when His mother and brothers wanted to speak to Him, Christ rebuked their request because they should have been inside with the rest of the crowd listening to His message, not outside trying to get His attention. They too had to understand His  mission and that He was indeed the Son of God and not man. Any vestige of His human lineage was long gone--He was now about His Father's work and everyone had to understand that. I am sure this rebuke hurt the heart of the mother of Jesus; I can feel her pain however I also know that Mary was astute enough spiritually to understand that her role as mother was over and she had to accept the Spiritual nature of this "son" she birthed and her spiritual role in this blessed event. Yet she was human as we all are and when we let our human-ness get in the eay ofour spiritual walk, we just need to get back in line.

Christ is always on our side! Isn't that a wonderful thought? We need no one else other than the Christ who died for our sins so that we could live and live abundantly! It is your choice today to live the aundant life and it is my prayer that you do.

Stephanie

You Are Known By Your Fruits

Good morning to all on this Thursday morning and God is in His Heaven and all is truly right with the world. I am in New Orleans continuing my training with health centers and last night had to drive to Baton Rouge for a dinner meeting. I drove back late and God was truly with me as the ride got longer and I became more tired. When you have God watching your back you can truly live your life robustly. Continue your prayers for our country and continue to pray that God's hand continues to guide us.

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 12, verses 22-37, "Then they brought Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. He who is not with Me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

Boy those Pharisees were relentless! They continued to try and discredit Christ and His ministry. They had closed their minds and hearts to the Spirit of God and this is the sin that would not be forgiven and would land them in an eternity without God, or hell. They also tried to persuade their listeners to "hi-five" their hate message-- sound familiar? What I think Christ is telling us in these scriptures is that we will also be misunderstood by those that do not want the Kingdom of Heaven to be preached. This is a "Spiritual" fruit! When you are attacked because of your spiritual witness then you should count it for good--you are in good company and are walking the same path as Jesus did. He has also given us a clue--when you are attacked because you are promoting the Kingdom of Heaven, call upon the Holy Spirit to guide you and meter your steps. It is spiritual warfare at this point and cannot be won in the flesh. The Holy Spirit will protect you and guide you. It is during these times of trials that your spiritual fruits or lack there of will become evident as well. If you have junk in your trunk, if you have a lack of  forgiveness toward your brother,  if your harbor envy or hatred in your heart, those fruits will block the blessings of the Spirit.  I have to pray daily to remove the junk in my trunk so that the Will of the Father can be manifest in my life!

To know Him is to love Him; To Love Him is to Serve Him. To know Him is to Love Him, to Love Him is to serve you! Have a blessed day.

Stephanie

Justice to Victory

Good morning to all on this Monday morning! God is in His Heaven and all is right with the world! The House Healthcare Overhaul bill passed yesterday and this is an answer to prayer for many Americans. It is also something that no other modern President could get passed. I thank God for His wisdom in changing the hearts and minds of many Americans. Continue to pray for our President and America. Please also pray for my safe travels today as I fly to Monroe, Louisiana.

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 12 today verses 15 - 21, "Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed Him, and He healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who He was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out, till He leads justice to victory. In His name the nations will put their hope."

Christ knew that the Pharisees were going to try to have Him jailed and then killed BUT IT WAS NOT HIS TIME! So He withdrew out of harms way so that His ministry could continue. This is the Christ who had all Power in Heaven and on earth. He could have called the hosts of Heaven to wipe the earth out of these false prophets and agents of Satan, but that was not His Father's will. The will of His Father was that Christ have an earthly ministry so that the lost tribes of Israel could be saved and then the Gentiles. So Christ did the smart and prudent thing, He withdrew and continued His ministry. He was wise as a serpent which is what He had commanded of His disciples. How many of us follow this lead? When confronted with violent opposition to our ministry, what do we do? I suspect that we do what out Spirit leads us to do--in my case at times I would press on if lead and sometimes I have with draw if lead; I confess that I have pressed on when I know I have been lead to withdraw--my pride and temperment get in the way. Even then Christ protects me because He knows my heart however I nonetheless experience consequences. We are always under the protective banner of the One who loves us the best and yet He would have us listen to that "still small voice" which will guide us.

And He is so gentle and kind. Look how the prophet Isaiah describes Christ. He is so gentle that He never breaks a reed but will gently bend it. Christ came to LEAD JUSTICE TO VICTORY! Amen and hallelujah! When we are under the banner of Christ justice and victory will always prevail. Are you experiencing a time in which it does not seem that justice and victory prevail? Take heart, as a Christian, justice and victory will always prevail in your life. Never lose sight of the fact that you are the child of the chosen One, the King, the One who sacrificed His life so all of us could live. As we approach this season that recognizes the sacrifice of Christ, remember that of all the spiritual men who have lived, Christ is the only One who was born, lived, died and then ,,,,,,,,,,,, ROSE AGAIN! He lives, He lives, He lives! Why do we live in mourning when our Savior lives! Rejoice of ye of little faith, your Savior lives and because He lives we have JUSTICE TO VICORY!!!!!

Be blessed today, in Jesus name. Amen and amen!

Stephanie

The Power of the One!

Good morning to all on this wonderful Saturday. I am content and happy. I have my husband and my grandchildren surrounding me and life is good! Thank you for your prayers of safety for me and thank you for your prayers for my family. God is so good that I can't stop talking about Him or His Son Jesus who sacrificed Himself so that I might live. Jill is here so my blog will have the needed attention that I have been looking forward to.

I am contiuing my travels in Matthew 12 today, verses 1-14, "At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? I tell you that one[a] greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." Going on from that place, He went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Wow!

Have you met folk like these Pharisees? Folk that you can't reason with no matter what you say or do; you can't win them over because they are bent on finding something not to like about you. They have a preconceived opinion or prejudice about you. Well that is what was happening to Jesus--I am reading this passage and thinking "how can you criticize a man for healing someone regardless of the day of the week?" These Pharisees were full of themselves and the devil. They thought more about protecting their status than the Power of the One who provided to them the very air they breathed. There is a saying that "Power corrupts, and corrupts absolutely!" and in the case of the Pharisees no truer words were spoken.

Are there areas of your life that your protect as the Pharisees protected their power base. Are there areas that you have not yielded to Jesus and the Cross? These areas may be preventing you from experiencing the abundance of life that is available to you just as the Pharisees were unable to experience the abundance of the relationship available through Christ because they wanted to protect their status. Was it worth it! They were betting that the law would protect them from the consequences of their actions. Some Christians believe that their intentions, which they believe to be pure, will protect them from those acts that do not reflect the fruits of the Spirit. At the end of the day, we are to love God with all of our hearts, minds and soul and then love each other as Christ loved us! Regardless of your intentions, if these two commandments are not evident in your life, examine the junk in your trunk.

Remeber to love Him today and be blessed

Stephanie

Rest for your Soul!

Good morning to all on this Friday morning. Pray for our country and pray ofr our President and this healthcare bill. Pray that our elected leaders would stop playing politics and exercise leadership potential. I am wondering how some of these folk get elected. The propensity of some to use scare tactics to push their own private agenda is disconcerting. I am traveling back to Atlanta so pray God's traveling mercies for me. Jill and her family are waiting for me and I am anxious to see the big Mac and Brookston Jones. I am going to get a lot of hugs and kisses I am sure! Freddie and I spoke on "skype" yesterday so I got to see Kai--he kept kissing the screen and said Nana--he then started looking for Poppop. It's wonderful when your grandchildren know you!

I am continuing my walk through Matthew 11 verses 20-30, "Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 'Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Amen!

You can hear the weariness in the voice of Jesus in these verses. He was giving His all in these cities and the folk still wouldn't repent of their sins and give their lives to God. I am sure at times we become weary as well; I know I do. There are some folk who will not let go of their sins and repent. And then I remember that it is not my job to convinve people to turn away from their sins; it is my job to present the Gospel. The Holy Spirit can then convict and convince. Christ knew that we would become weary and heavy of heart in this world and provided these verses of unconditional acceptence.I can hear the love in His voice as He tells us to come to Him and rest. You can breathe out and just rest. Lay your head on His chest; hear the beat of His heart and EXHALE. That's what life with Christ is like--you are able to EXHALE. 

If you have had a tough day, tough week or tough year because of your Kingdom building efforts then you will find rest in the bosom of Christ. Count it as all joy my friends because your reward is GREAT. Continue your work in the fields because the HARVEST is plentiful but the workers are few. God is good today and all day and will provide you with the comfort you need.

Stephanie

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!

Good morning to all on this Wednesday morning. Please pray for my safe travels as I head out to Louisiana! Please also join with me in congratulating Dr. Aleron Kong, who yesterday matched in Internal Medicine. He will begin his training at the "House", Morehouse School of Medicine/Grady on July 1, 2010. God is good and His hand is always on us to ensure that we make the best decisions for our life!

As I continue my journey today in Matthew 11, verses 11-19 Christ says, "I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it for all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear. 'To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

I am sure the crowd listening to Jesus didn't understand half of what Jesus was sying in these verses. He was not only moving from Mosaic law in defining a righteous person, He was also telling the crowd that He was the Kingdom they had been waiting for. This man who wore simple clothes, owned only one pair of shoes, who regularly could be found in the company of sinners, tax collectors and whore, preached a gospel of forgiveness and claimed and demonstrated the power to raise the dead and heal lepers; this Man proclaimed and was indeed the Son of the Living God. The Messiah for whom the Jews awaited! But they believed not because their "eyes" were fixated on a prize they determined to be real and they were blinded by the prize right in front of their eyes!

How often are we fooled by our own mind as to what the Will of our Father is? That is the folly that befalls us because of the sins of Adam and his Eve. We have the curse of "reasoning" which is why Christ tells us to be child like and just believe. No reasoning is involved today--our hearts know what is true and real if we just believe in the One who can make all things right! Be wise today and trust the Man who holds your future in his hands. Don't believe the hype that Satan would have you believe; you are the Child of the King! Speak your blessings into esistence today and be bold in your approach to this life. Other men will then know the God you serve and they will be saved.

God loves you and so do I.

Stephanie

Our Life's Work Affirmed!

Good morning to all! The Blog, SojournSpirit is up but limping along. I need help with two things: 1) how to add a Guest Counter and 2) how to add spell check to my menu bar. Jillian and her family will be with us over the weekend and I am trusting that she will be able to assist me by adding the two things I need and this time I will pay attention. Sadly, one of my dear friends lost her husband on Saturday. Anthony and Brenda, pictured in white,  had been married for over 30 years and celebrated Waine and my 21st wedding rededication with us in Montego Bay in 2009. Brenda and I have been friends since college and Anthony is a second cousin. Anthony had been ill for a while but was a real optimist and felt that he was on the road to recovery. The great news is that Anthony knew Christ and will be waiting for Brenda and their children in glory. He will be missed in any number of ways by his family and friends so pray God's peace for them. God is good every day and when life gives us unexpected trials, He is the best.! Amen.

I am continuing my journey in Matthew 11 today verses 1-10, "And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding Hs twelve disciples, He departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John (the Baptist) had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee." This was the highest honor that Jesus could bestow on John the Baptist, the affirmation of John's life and ministry. He was letting John know that his sacrifices were not in vain; the contrary was true. John's life and ministry had PREPARED the way for Jesus, the Christ! Remember, John the Baptist's mother, Elizabeth, was pregnant with John when Mary her cousin came to visit. Mary was pregnant with Jesus and it is said in Luke 1: 39-45 "At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby (John the Baptist) leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

John had been waiting all these years for his Savior to come and now he could die in peace for his time was finished. John had "prepared" the way and his Lord proclaimed that he had done a GREAT job. John had fulfilled his mission and could comfortably go to Glory as a good and faithful servant. Boy I want that proclaimation as I am going on to Glory--You good and fiathful servant--rest now and be at Peace. John had waited all his life to meet his savior and he would be given a chance not only to meet Him but to also baptize Him. God is always good to His servants and will give us the SATISFACTION of our hearts. Just remain faithful through the dark and lonely days, the prison of our minds and hearts. Do not be discourage today but be encourage by the renewing of your minds. God loves you this day and every day hence forward!

Pray God's Peace for our sister Brenda and her family today. God is smiling on her and this day she will know that the love of God will transcend all her grief!

Stephanie