Even Now, I Believe!

On this Memorial Day, Solace Sowers remembers the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives for the good of The United States of America. We also remember the men and women that have faithful served and lost their lives during this Covid-19 Pandemic. We remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who died on the cross of Calvary to save the sin sick soul. With grateful hearts, we say thank you.

As we reflect on their service and sacrifice, we are reminded of the promise in 1Thessalonia 4:16-17. We can comfort each other with the words written there. They remind us that when the Lord comes back, the dead in Christ shall rise and those who are yet alive shall be caught up to meet them. All whom we have lost to war, sickness or even natural causes, if they be in Christ and we remain in Christ, we will see them again. For now, they are simply resting in the Lord.

Jesus' disciples informed him of a man name Lazurus that was sick. The Lord did not immediately go to his bedside. Instead he waited and stated that his sickness was not unto death, but that the Son of God would be glorified. When he finally arrived in Bethany, he was told that Lazurus had already died and was buried in a tomb for four days. His sister Martha went out to meet Jesus and said "Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

So many people feel that way today. In the midst of bereavement, trials and tribulations, many have declared "Lord if you would have been". Sometimes we forget that God is an omnipresent God. He is with us all the time. What we really want to say is "God why didn't you work it out the way I wanted you too"? Why didn't you fix it like I knew you could? We must remember that sometimes what we go through is for God's glory and if we hold onto our faith he will turn our frowns into smiles.

Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live." Then he asked her "Do you believe this"? In spite of the loved ones lost, the hardships and trials, Jesus wants to know what we believe about Him.

Solace Sowers, today I encourage you to still believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world. Martha made this declaration in John 11:25-27 following the death of her brother Lazurus. Let us make the same declaration today! Our God is still mighty to save!

Prayer For Our Leaders

Good Day Solace Sowers,

Sowers, my reflection of the moment is that we pray for our leaders. Prayer for our leaders brings peace to our lives. Being a Solace Sower is all about studying and sharing scripture so that we can live peaceful lives. 

Today there is a growing state of anger, confusion, fear, anxiety and hopelessness. Sowers, don't let this be your reality. Yes, the Corona Virus has disrupted the conventional routine of our daily lives. It has thrown our global economy into a whirlwind. Loved ones are falling sick or being exposed to others who are sick. People are losing their jobs. Families and communities are going into isolation. Churches are moving their services from in-person to online in order to comply with social distancing regulations instituted to prevent the spread of the virus. Sowers in the midst of all of this, we can still stand together and find rest in the scriptures. 

I am focused today on 1 Timothy 2:1-2 which instructs us to pray for all and especially for those in positions of leadership and authority. I am calling on you to join me in prayer for our president, politicians, governors, mayors, employers and pastors. Pray for our doctors, nurses and public servants. Pray for all persons of authority because this is a difficult time for anyone to be tasked with leading a government, corporation ,organization or emergency room.  Pray that our leaders will serve first from a place of love and compassion for all. May they do what is best for the preservation of humanity and not just profits.  

They need our support more than our criticism. We may not agree with the decisions they make, but we must pray for them. Pray for them and hold them accountable. Remember to cover them as you offer up prayers for your loved ones.  Pray for them because in doing so you will bring peace to your own life. 

1 Timothy 2:1-2

  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Please be a Solace Sower according to God's holy word and we will get through this difficult time together. 

Don't Make Him Wait Any Longer!

Good Day Solace Sowers!

May this post find you in the very best state of mind, body, and soul!

Sowers, I was reading Jeremiah 29:11-13 and it reminded me that God's desire for us is to have peace and a good future. God wants the very best life for us and He isn't sitting around plotting evil or destruction against us. This remains to be true even when we are living contrary to His will for our lives. It's true when we are ignorant or blatantly defiant of God's command. God declares what He knows to be true concerning his thoughts for us, His thoughts are of peace and an expected end.

Look at what the scripture says in Jeremiah 29:11-13

(11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

(12) Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

(13) And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

How many of us can say that there are people in our lives who continue to wish us well when we have done them wrong? How many of us would extend this level of grace to someone that has offended us time and time again? Chances are there are very few among us.

What a blessed assurance it is to know that in spite of what we do or don't do for God, His plans for our peace and wellbeing do not change. Instead, He waits patiently for us to come to Him. God waits for us to cry out to Him in prayer and seek Him with the fullness of our hearts.

This is what makes Him such a loving and compassionate God. He is the highest and purest standard of true love. If we loved the way God loves, the potential for reconciliation and restoration for our broken relationships would be exponential.

Another thing to take note of is that while God loves us, He does not lower His standard for us. God makes us aware of the standard and the blessings that await us when we fulfill it. God says "ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."

The door of reconciliation is open! The door to our peace is open. The door to salvation is open. All we have to do is makeup in our minds that we're going to get up and go through it.

How? By seeking God with our whole heart. We don't have to remain captive to the destruction of our sins. We don't have to live in fear or shame of our past. God wants to raise us up and bring us out of our sad predicaments into the beauty of His holiness. He wants to give us peace that passes all understanding. He wants to strengthen us with His Joy.

Solace Sowers, God is waiting! Don't make Him wait any longer! Seek the Lord while He may be found. Seek God and in doing so, find your peace. Seek God and secure a good outcome for your future.

Prepared For Your Purpose

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the servant of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work which God hath ordained beforehand.

We are the manifestation of God's supreme creativity and desire. God intentionally called us into existence and established a purpose for our lives.  We are alive because of God's divine providence. It is not by accident or happenstance.

Our arrival into this world may have come as a surprise to some of our parents. Others may have considered it an inconvenient disruption or mistake. But God is the giver of life and God makes no mistakes. God ordained the date, time and place of our birth before we took our first breath and God preordained our purpose.

Knowing that I am a product of God's creativity and authority, I want to do what God created me to do. I want to live the way God intended me to live. I want to have what God wants me to have. My heart's desire is to complete the assignment that God preordained for my life. Can you identify with this desire? More importantly, are you doing whatever is necessary to ensure your God-given purpose is fulfilled?

Today is a good day to evaluate your willingness to live the life that God desires for you to live. It's a good day to really think about your readiness to walk in your purpose. You can get a good gauge of where you are in this process by taking into account your engagement with the one resource provided by God to help you succeed: The Holy Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 lets us know that being prepared for our purpose is an achievable goal because God has provided the Holy Bible as our source of information and instruction. The knowledge we need is written in the pages of scripture for the purpose of equipping us to complete "every good work which God ordained beforehand".

If you find yourself feeling clueless about your purpose or how to carry it out, it may be due to insufficient engagement with the Word of God. This scripture informs us that we can succeed if we read the scriptures. It's just that simple. Now you may find that the scriptures are a challenge to understand, but don't worry. We've all been there. Just keep reading. God will impart his wisdom if you simply do your part to seek it out.

James 1:5 says
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

You can also join a bible study group at a local church. If you can't get to church, you can subscribe to a bible study podcast or online ministry broadcast.  There are so many resources available to help people gain access to the Word of God.

Don't let anything stop you from reading and engaging in the scriptures. Remember, your ability to realize and effectively complete your God-given purpose is made possible when you prepare yourself by reading the Word! 

Come on! Let's Get This Crown!

Life's journey will take you from mountain high to valley low and back again. You will have good days and bad days. This is true in ministry and everyday life experiences. When your season shifts from up to down, may you find comfort in James 1:12

"Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial, for when they have stood the test they will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him."

Because God loves you and you love God, today's trial can become tomorrow's testimony. It all depends on your next move which doesn't require much more than a little trust and loyalty.

All you have to do is hold on and remain committed to the Lord your God. Don't let situations sway you from staying steadfast in the Lord. Don't let problems and persecution pull you away from what you know to be true about the provision and promises of God. Don't let confusion or conflict crush your confidence in the Master.

The Word of God never said we wouldn't have trials. It never said our faith wouldn't be tested. However, it does say that if we stand through our trials and test, we will receive the crown of life.

Is God like man that He should lie? Absolutely not! God is faithful to His every word. Perhaps today is a really difficult and trying day. You may have wanted to quit before the day even got started. Maybe you are angry with God and feel like He has forsaken you.

No ma'am and no sir. This is only a test. Decide right now that you will not be defeated or deterred. Depression is canceled in the name of Jesus. Doubt is canceled in the name of Jesus.

See yourself on the up side of down. Your spirit is free! Your mind is free!

Come on! Let's get this crown!