Today’s Community Scripture – 12/29/2023

Today’s Community Scripture – 12/29/2023

by | Dec 29, 2023 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Scripture:

                What This Year Could Hold

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?

                             Hebrews 13:5–6 MSG 

– Reflection:

One of my cousins, who is more like a brother, loves for all of us to come together like my Dad did. Family gatherings are great and so much fun, but we can’t only hold our gifts for family; they weren’t given to us for only family. There are so many lost people in the world who don’t believe in themselves or anything that needs us as lights to shine to show them the way. Family gives us the strength to move forward and continue being what the world needs to see to offset the evil in the world. These family functions are becoming far between, and I agree we need to do more; I make my pilgrimages to family members when I can, showing my face, giving encouragement where I can, and helping with what I can while I can. Writing these conversations that I have internally and ending with a prayer is a way of me traveling to each of my family and those new to Christ. Family in whatever form is going to get you to the following stages of where GOD wants you. Not acquiring more things, experience family this next year and honor them even in those uncomfortable spaces and conversations. They are only being who they are and how they grew up. If you have a different light, show that to them and allow them to see.

Where do we go from here?

Moving into a more mature adulthood with responsibilities of opening restaurants, starting practices, and opening businesses; there may be a few family members left behind as the work begins. Making an effort to show up and be there for one another in special moments, no matter how small, is key. No, we can’t all hang out as we did as children when we were all close together. We can, however, be there for the moments that matter to them, no matter how small or big. So what you may have to stand in the background is that you are there for them in their moment, not yours. Honoring each other today and in the future is GOD’s masterpiece that he started with the giving of his son to us. Next year honor one another more than you did this year, and don’t worry about things and money. They will take care of themselves as long as you are moving with the most special parts of ourselves.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for allowing me to see my younger brother’s 48th birthday, even though I didn’t get to spend it with him, I reached through a text while he was traveling. My wife’s sister’s birthday is tomorrow and she will be another year older as well. Watch over them both as they move into the new years of their lives. It is a blessing to have these moments with those who are having milestones in their lives, and we will not forget them. We are appreciative of all the things we have been able to share without everyone needing to have a large payout to experience it. May we continue to honor one another in the small spaces and not only wait for the big moments. Take a drive to a non-expecting family member or friend and make their day this year. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 12/28/2023

Today’s Community Scripture – 12/28/2023

by | Dec 28, 2023 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Scripture:

                 Being Given the Hand of Blessing

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back, I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful I can’t take it all in!

                               PSALMS 139:1-6 MSG

– Reflection:

Reading the Bible’s Old Testament, when a father was about to pass away, he would have his kids around him. In many of those conversations, if you have paid attention, the Dad is able to give wisdom to his children and, in the later hours, speak to his wife about how things should work once he is gone to the other side. Those are blessings the Dad is passing on; we call them nuggets, jewels, that only the ones that have sustained a life can pass on. We don’t have that today, so dads give those nuggets to your sons, and uncles give those nuggets to your nephews and nieces to ensure they know how to carry themselves going forward. There has to be a foundation that the family can work from once Dad or Mom has gone on to Christ. I think it was called “The Laying of Hands” that made the transfer of power and healing. If you are a part of the body of Christ, then this is passed on to you daily; God has his hands on you daily, and this gives us the ability to overcome a lot. What God has for you nobody can stop or replace with negativity.

Where do we go from here?

Each one teaches one; I know for me there are several men that I have looked to for guidance since my dad passed on. There are nuggets that he gave me, but there is still the completion of my climb for my manhood, my son’s manhood, and also my young grandson. That’s three generations that need to keep a foundation for our family to remain protected. Community, going into the New Year, begin building that foundation for your family that will allow you guys to pass through time protected. Ensure that each nugget, each helping conversation for healing, can be passed on to the next to honor it. For me and our family, I know I am attached to my father-in-law and my men’s group at the different organizations I am a part of, and I take the younger generations along with me to learn the ways of what is to come and what has happened already. My daughters reach out to my wife and their aunts, along with others, with information to aid them in moving forward, and the same thing is true for my sisters as well.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for the foundations and the history of family that you have left in the Bible for us to follow. We appreciate all the guidance and blessings that are given to us daily through our fathers, fathers-in-law, uncles, older brothers, and brothers of the church. It allows us to continue a growth trend for our families and our comminuties that is positive and helpful to the next generation. With all the power you have within you and have given to us we are able to say. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 12/27/2023

Today’s Community Scripture – 12/27/2023

by | Dec 27, 2023 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Scripture:

               Doing the Minimum

“But you didn’t pay a bit of attention to me, Jacob. You so quickly tired of me, Israel. You wouldn’t even bring sheep for offerings in worship. You couldn’t be bothered with sacrifices. It wasn’t that I asked that much from you. I didn’t expect expensive presents. But you didn’t even do the minimum, so stingy with me, so closefisted. Yet you haven’t been stingy with your sins. You’ve been plenty generous with them and I’m fed up. “But I, yes I, am the one who takes care of your sins that’s what I do. I don’t keep a list of your sins. “So, make your case against me. Let’s have this out. Make your arguments. Prove you’re in the right. Your original ancestor started the sinning, and everyone since has joined in. That’s why I had to disqualify the Temple leaders, repudiate Jacob, and discredit Israel.”

                            Isaiah 43:22–28 MSG

– Reflection:

In Isaiah, Israel has blamed GOD for all their shortcomings and bad breaks. Anything good they attributed to their idol as I understand it. GOD had enough and just told them where they stood with him and all that he actually did for them. He took his communication and ability to come to him and speak for Israel away from Jacob going forward. He chose another for that task, kind of like when working everyone doesn’t get to do everything and sometimes upper management may change but the results should stay the same; which is the case for us continuing to receive GOD’s blessings and him take our sins away because we have his son in our hearts now.

Where do we go from here?

It goes without saying but the suggestion of allowing Christ into your heart has been given here several times. He doesn’t make you weaker; matter of fact he helps you become much stronger and helps you onto the path of life. It is there where you begin to find your purpose other than just the wants of the world and the non-believers. In time you will come to know him and all he has for you.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, we appreciate the small little door opening that happens for each of us who accept your son Jesus Christ. We also know that the rest is up to us in how we follow the directions that have been placed on our hearts. It is with all of us and who you placed in us that we are able to say. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 12/26/2023

Today’s Community Scripture – 12/26/2023

by | Dec 26, 2023 | Community Conversations, Prayers

                        

– Scripture:

                He is God

Get the blind and deaf out here and ready the blind (though there’s nothing wrong with their eyes) and the deaf (though there’s nothing wrong with their ears). Then get the other nations out here and ready. Let’s see what they have to say about this, how they account for what’s happened. Let them present their expert witnesses  and make their case; let them try to convince us what they say is true.  “But you are my witnesses.” God’s Decree. “You’re my hand-picked servant  So that you’ll come to know and trust me, understand both that I am and who I am.  Previous to me there was no such thing as a god,  nor will there be after me. I, yes I, am God. I’m the only Savior there is.  I spoke, I saved, I told you what existed  long before these upstart gods appeared on the scene. And you know it, you’re my witnesses, you’re the evidence.” God’s Decree. “Yes, I am God. I’ve always been God  and I always will be God. No one can take anything from me. I make; who can unmake it?”

                              Isaiah 43:8–13 MSG

– Reflection:

With Christmas passing us yesterday and the New Year approaching fast, I wanted to leave you guys with this message. The Father said in Isaiah that he is GOD, not something made up or anybody among us, but he is God. Moving into the New Year it would be a very important task for the day to remember that and give honor where it is due. He has awakened us each day and kept us sane and in good health. Notice I didn’t say anything about money or things. This is because, with the first three that he gives us freely, we can go out into the world as we are supposed to and work for those things. The first three GOD provides just like the holy trinity these are the three gifts that allow us to make decisions and feed our families.

Where do we go from here?

Allow GOD to take his place in your heart, and begin being the head of your life. When you have done that, you will notice a shift in your life that wasn’t there before you did those two things. Appreciate what you have, and honor those who are close to you in life and are doing it with you. Just be thankful for being able to be YOU.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, Thank you that we can wake up each morning to serve you again with the strength you have given us. We honor you today and every day moving forward with the gifts you have given us. We will continue to use them to do the work you have placed on our hearts. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 12/22/2023

Today’s Community Scripture – 12/22/2023

by | Dec 22, 2023 | Community Conversations, Prayers

– Scripture:

                          Power From The Most High

The angel answered The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.

                                                Luke 1:35 MSG

– Reflection:

Just like Mary, you may have a how. God has given you a promise to what he has placed on your heart, but living in this world makes it seem impossible. How will I get well? How will I come out of debt? How will I accomplish my dreams? God says Don’t worry about the how. It may seem too big, too late, too far, too much. That is probably the way Mary felt. Do as she did and keep believing that the power of the Most High will make things happen that you can’t ever make happen. Nothing can stop Him from overshadowing you. So let him.

Where do we go from here?

Keep your faith in the one who got us here. He will bring us through anything. I know he has me; there are so many occasions where I know it wasn’t me that I completed a project ahead of a deadline, got those extra shifts for money that was needed, and got a job that I didn’t think I would get. GOD cleared that path for me, and he will do the same for you as well. All you have to do is believe that he “Jesus” died on the cross for our sins and that you want him to come into your heart and show you the way.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You for Your promise to Mary that her giving birth to Your Son was possible because of Your power. Thank You that Your promises to us are equally as possible because of Your power. Our eyes are on You to do what only You can do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.