Are You at The Banquet Table?

Good morning to all on this glorious Saturday morning. I woke up with God on my mind and woke up needing to be in fellowship with Him. I just praise Him for His mercy and faith in all of us because when we were in sin, He still provided a way--the way maker Jesus. Waine and I are in Hawkinsville this weekend. He of course is playing golf, but these little weekends are such a good bonding time for us. For all you married folk out there, I can't say enough about stealing way with you honey for little weekends to remind yourselves why you got married in the first place. Please continue to keep JKS in your prayers for her healing and keep Eric's family in your prayers. I am convinced of this one thing, the God of Abraham has a plan for all of us that has come into fruition. It is a plan for abundance and not for calamity; we just have to claim it.

I am continuing my journey in in Jeremiah 5 verses 20 - 31, "Announce this to the descendants of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah: Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: "Should you not fear Me? declares the LORD. Should you not tremble in My Presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest. Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good. Among my people are the wicked who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch people. Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor. Should I not punish them for this?” declares the LORD. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this? A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?"

May the Lord add a blessing to the reading and understanding of His Word.

I have heard many sermons lately on what blocks the blessings of God from His children. Creflo Dollar stated about two weeks ago, if there is Calamity and Lack of Prosperity in your life then look for the SIN in your life that is blocking the Blessings that you should have.  God was saying the same thing to the people of the tribe of Judah, in particular. Their wrong doings had kept their blessing away from them. Their sin had deprived them of the good that God wanted to bestow on them. When you think about what SIN could block God's blessings the two (2) commandments that Christ talked about were to 1) love the Lord God with all your heart and all your mind; and 2) likewise love your neighbor as your self. On these two commandments hang ALL THE LAWS OF THE PROPHETS AND THE PRINCIPLES OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. When blessings are not abundant in your life, I am suggesting you look in these two areas and ask God to reveal to you what SIN is blocking you from your blessings. Is the God who does not allow water to cross a sandy barrier, the Center of your life, your joy, your happiness? Do you invite HIM in daily to get involved in every circumstance of your life? I read a daily devotional from Joel Olstein that indicated that we should practice ASKING God to get in the middle of our circumstance. Why try and struggle with your circumstance, whatever it is? Get God involved by inviting Him formally to get involved. Now when you do this you have to get out the way and let God do His work which may also mean there are changes for you to make. Never be afarid of change.

Do you love your fellow man like you love God and yourself? Do you treat your "neighbor" with kindness and understanding or do you reserve these behaviors for only people you "like" and regard?  God tells us to love everyone not because we like them, but because He loves them. We are to kill our natural tendency to gossip, blame, speak evil of or just be short with folk and instead extend the hand of fellowship and heart of GRACE and MERCY. 

Your blessings and mine are WAITING. I am going to start to remove my barriers right this minute. "Lord reveal to me the SINS in my life that are blocking my blessings. Give me the spiritual eyes I need to receive your blessing. I want to be the conduit of these blessings for my family and I thank you in advance that you have heard my prayer and have already acted upon it." Amen.

Now may the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace! Amen.

Stephanie