What Color Is Your Coat?

 

Genesis 37:3 Says, “Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other children, because he was the son of his old age and made him a coat of many colors.”

Awhile back,I bought myself a jacket. I liked the taupe color because it is neutral. I was leaving the house to go have lunch with a friend. I noticed that in the sunlight my coat looked more green than taupe. This made me think of a young man in the Bible by the name of Joseph. His father made him a coat of many colors. He did this because he loved his son very much. It is easy today to run to the mall and purchase a jacket for ourselves. We realize that wasn’t the case in Joseph’s time. I can picture the father working lovingly on the coat for his son. He must have worked for days, even weeks on it. I believe he took great thought into picking each color of fabric.

In my mind I  can see him choosing purple. Joseph would someday be a part of royalty. Maybe he chose a blue. He prayed his son would always walk in revelation knowledge. White could stand for a reminder to Joseph to remain pure until marriage. This story reminds me of how many times my Heavenly Father has covered me. I have walked in some hard places. I know I could not have made it without Gods love for me.

Later on in the story, Joseph’s brothers stripped him of his beloved coat. It didn’t matter. He still felt His Fathers love and presence in his life. Have there been times in your life when struggles have made you feel stripped of who you know  you are in Christ? The enemy has tried many times to convince me God wasn’t there for me in trials. Maybe at times it has seemed like God is far away. Those are the times we must remember how He has always prepared for us whatever we needed. Whatever we may face, He has us covered. There is nothing that gives us strength more than spending time with Him. The world may try to strip us. Nothing can take away the love our Father has for us. What color is your coat today? I can tell you. It is whatever you need from Him. All you have to do is ask of your Father. Remember, he has you covered.

~Connie Robinson

Image Credit @ Tammy Sanders

Using Your Authority

 

Anybody can praise God whenever things are going great. What about when your children are ill, you lose your job, divorce, death in the family, and the list goes on. What do you do then?

I have had many circumstances over the years come against me and my family.  I had a choice to make to either duck tail and run or go right through the middle of it. To tell you the truth at times I would love to have run, but God on the inside of me just would not let me do that.

He’s always been bigger than anything I have ever faced.  At times I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me, and then I would remember that He was right there with me, seeing me overcome every obstacle that came my way.

I’m so glad that I have learned how to believe God for myself.

Confess His word and watch it come to pass.  Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I say unto you, whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you shall have them.” The devil is just the devil; he will always put up a fight to keep you from the things of God.  Don’t listen to his lies. If the Bible promises you something, you have a right to fight for it. God has given us every tool we need to win.

The sword of the spirit which is the Word of God is one of our greatest weapons against the devil.  Jesus always used it when He was tempted of the devil. Now, it is our turn to do the same thing. The next time the devil comes telling you anything contrary to the Bible, and trying to beat you up, use the Word.

Just like David said to the uncircumcised Philistine, You come to me with a sword, and a spear, but I come at you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied.  ~1 Samuel 17:45

~Tammy Sanders

Image Credit: Tammy Sanders

Watch out For The Birds

You can’t stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from building a nest.Temptations come at us everyday. We make choices whether to give into them or not. It’s not a sin to be tempted. Sin comes into the equation when we choose to yield or give into it. When God created man He wanted us to have a choice whether to serve Him or not. A few years ago Flip Wilson said,

“T he Devil made me do it .” Well, that sounds good and a lot of people love that excuse. It may sound good, but as a Christian satan has no power over our choices.Man from the beginning has always tried to pass the responsibility for his choices over on someone else. Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the devil for their disobedience to God. When it comes down to the truth, everyone is responsible for their actions and choices.God gave us a free will to love Him and keep His commandments. The definition of will is, The power of conscious,deliberate action. The faculty by which the mind makes choices and acts to carry them out. As one pleases or purposes to do, strong determination. Our choices are our own.

No one can make you go against your own will.We live in a generation that has been taught, You are not responsible for your own actions. It’s the environment  lack of education, social standing, upbringing, government, and the list goes on. NO, you are responsible. No matter what society says, God’s Word is true forever. It’s our standard that never changes. The Lord wants us to be blessed and make the right choices when we face temptations.If they obey and serve Him. They shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures. Job 36:11

It’s your choice, choose wisely.

~ Ricky Robinson

 

Image Credit © Sandy Matzen | Dreamstime Stock Photos

 

Thank God I’m Odd!

Growing up I never considered myself “normal” (if such a thing even exists). Some people embrace their uniqueness, but alas I cried many a night because I was different from everyone else in one way or another. But today, I can truly say that I am wonderfully blessed to be such an odd cookie! Let me share some of the ways God has used my quirks for His Kingdom.

 I took piano lessons for twelve years while growing up. None of the other boys at school played piano, but I seemed to enjoy it. Well, several years later, all of those lessons are paying off as God has been able to use me with the Praise and Worship team to minister to multiple people in a unique way that I would never have been a part of otherwise.

Another oddity about me is that I’m a gaming geek. I am 37 years old and I still love playing both video games and board games. Let me give one example of why I’m thankful for this! My best friend, who used to attend this church, had drifted away from God. Many people judged him, but I still cared for him as a friend. Fortunately, we both really enjoyed playing video games together, so periodically we would get together to play. For about two years, I simply loved him where he was and would confront him about his sinful lifestyle as I felt the prompting by Holy Ghost. Within a few years, he married and recommitted his life to Christ. He now has an active relationship with God and we are still best friends. I by no means take full credit, but God was able to use my “odd” passion for games to play a role in the restoration of my brother.

 Let me share one last quirk about me for which I thank God. I am a HUGE Survivor fan! (I’ve even planned out an audition tape for getting on the show.) I find the reality TV show absolutely fascinating. However, I have built relationships with people I would have never dreamed possible because of our common love for the show. In fact, I currently have influence in the life of both an atheist as well as a muslim because of our shared interests in Survivor. God has opened opportunities for me to demonstrate God’s love to those whom I would have had little in common with otherwise, all because of my weird obsession for a reality TV show.
Whether you now think I’m odd or not, I will guarantee you that you’ll never find another man just like me ever again. I am one odd cookie! But you know what? God celebrates the uniqueness of who I am, so why shouldn’t I? So I say, “Thank God I’m odd!”

 ~ Dr Matt

Image Credit @ dreamstime.com/alien-2-free-stock-photography-imagefree96827

Influences In Life

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

We all have been influenced by the way we were raised. Our family, friends, teachers, and environment  The entertainment industry is geared to develop certain mindsets. All the experiences of life serve to effect our thinking and behaviors.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in  the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1 Our attitudes toward life, family, friends, and God have been shaped by the influences of life.

I was doing some soul searching, reflection on different people who have had a great effect on my life. I recalled a Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Cox was the pastor’s wife. I was around twelve.  One morning whe she was teaching. She said, “Reading the Bible everyday would impact our lives in ways we could never imagine.” She said, “ God has a plan and purpose for everyone to fulfill.”

She knew we were young and easy to embarrass. What she suggested was for us to keep a copy of the Bible in our bathroom. It would be a private place to get alone with God and His word. I began doing as she had told us. To some this may seem trival or unimportant. She might not even remember saying it. I can testify, it has had a great impact on my life.

I love reading God’s word. It has changed my life and wrong mindsets. His word is my daily bread. It’s my strength when i’m weak and my hope when i’m down. His word is truly Spirit and Life.

We all have an influence over people in our lives. We need to share life’s lessons with others. You may never know what you might say or do that is going to impact someones life.

We are to be salt and light to the world. Let your light shine to help someone find the way.

~Ricky Robinson

Image Credit ©  Muriel Lasure | Dreamstime.com

Using the Right Light

1Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priest-hood, an holy nation, a peculiar  people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light.

And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of host, in that day when I make up my jewel; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Malachi3:17

A friend of mine and I went into a jewelry store recently. While we were looking, the lady asked if she could clean our rings. When she returned them to us, she told my friend how beautiful her diamond was. She didn’t comment on mine. Okay, I admit it. I was a little hurt.  When we left the store and got outside, I held my ring up to the sun. It was shining beautifully. That’s when I realized what was wrong. She wasn’t looking at my ring in the same light as I was. When I look at it, I see my husband’s love. I am reminded of how he chose me. He worked many hard hours to pay for this ring. It symbolizes so much that can’t be seen under a microscope.

I am thankful that God looks at us through the refection of the “Son.” He doesn’t see our flaws. We were created to shine in the light of God’s love. We are God’s masterpiece. We are to use that same light when we look at others. They are not to be placed under our microscopes. We are to hold their lives up to his light.

My desire is to live my life allowing God’s light to shine through my life.

~Connie Robinson

Image Credit © Tammy Sanders

Intimacy

Genuine intimacy requires transparency, vulnerability, truthfulness, and commitment.

Intimacy is a process. It takes communication, time, and awareness of the other person.  A question you need to ask yourself is, “How much of God do I really want?”

God wants an intimate relationship with you. You spend intimate time with your husband or wife, and friends. God wants that intimate time too. He wants you to mediate His Word, and spends time in worship telling Him how much you love Him. Not what He can do for you, but Lord what can I do for you. God is waiting on us to want Him more than anything.

God doesn’t want a one night stand. It’s a lifetime commitment to the One who loves you. We were created to walk and talk with Him everyday. Thank Him for what He’s already done in your life. He doesn’t need you telling Him everyday what you need and want. He already knows all this.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:31 (NIV)

He knows how many hairs are on your head. He created us.

For me personally I have always had a desire to have that intimate relationship with God. I just did not know how. Now I spend that time talking to Him. Praying in tongues, and being real with Him just like I am with other people. I love it when I hear His voice and know that He is listening to little ole me. Nothing compares to His voice and that’s the way it should be.

~Tammy Sanders

Image Credit © Tammy Sanders

The Note

I remember a particular time when I was a teenager. There was a ballgame at school, and I wanted to go so bad. One problem I faced was my dad. I was scared to ask him anything. Then I had an idea. I would write him a note.

My dad always got up early to go to work and so, the stove was the first place I knew he would come to. My fingers trembled as I wrote the note and laid it on the stove top. I could hardly sleep. I just knew he would say yes and could hardly wait to get up in the morning.

I woke up bright and early and headed for the kitchen and picked the note up. To my surprise, the note was lying there just as I had left it. I quickly opened it anticipating the answer.  No answer. I was heartbroken.  How could he just not answer me?

My mom walked in the kitchen, and I said to her, “Did daddy not read the note?”

She said, “He did read it, but Daddy said that if you could not ask, it was not worth going to.”  I was stunned and mad for not asking him.

Why had I been so scared to ask him? All he could have done was say yes or no. In my little mind I thought of him as a big bear and was scared he would bite me. In reality he was not, this was just the image I had. Rest assured I was never afraid to ask my daddy again.  I found out all he wanted was for me to ask. To take this a step further that’s all God wants us to do is ask.

Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

John 16:23

What we ask must be in line with God’s word. God wants us blessed spiritually, physically, as well as materially. Don’t let the fear of asking keep you from attaining God best for your life.

~Tammy Sanders

Image Credit © Tammy Sanders

Simply Being Obedient

I never knew that this one word could be so powerful. I am learning just how powerful it is and how it can set you free. I am still learning because as you know for your self it is easy to be obedient in some things but not everything or shall I say not in most things. If it was that easy then most of us wouldn’t have any problems with just obeying the spirit or our spiritual authority. As I really started thinking and meditating about the full meaning of being obedient or obeying, I realized that I never really knew what this word actually means at all.

When I heard the word obey I always thought it was just doing what you are being told to do. It’s so much more than that. Looking up this word there were two things that stood out at me: 1. It’s a willingness 2. I believe that you have a choice to obey or to disobey and that when you make that choice to obey then you are showing respect wither it be to a person, to God or Holy Ghost.

I have been in a lot of places lately that I really didn’t want to step over in because there was so much fear hanging over me. I made up my mind that I was going to be obedient no matter what, and God has always showed up. I know that He is not just looking for people who always know what to do, He is looking for people to just be obedient so that He can do what He wants to do. Just one simple choice of being obedient can mean so much to your life and to the life of someone else. Just another way to show God you have faith in Him!

Colossians 3:22  says, “Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him.”

~Michelle Parrish

Image credit: Monica Guzman

Thanks, Apostle!

He didn’t have to do it, you know. When God spoke to Apostle David about going to Rhema Bible Training Center back in 1983, he didn’t have to go. He could have chosen not to answer…. can you imagine where YOU would be today if he had chosen differently? When he graduated from Rhema, he could have gone anywhere… ANYWHERE. But God sent him right back here. From listening to his story, you know it’s not what he wanted. He wanted to go anywhere BUT home…. but he was obedient. Can you imagine where you would be today if he wasn’t?

Apostle David is very fond of asking me, “Where would you be without me?” He likes to tease me about how I thought I knew everything when I got here. I thought I was someone going somewhere BIG…that this was just a whistle stop on my train ride to destiny. But I was arrested by Holy Ghost…. after two weeks of being here at Gateway (then Faith Christian), He showed me supernaturally that David Coker was my spiritual father and what I needed to fulfill my destiny was in the vision inside of him. So, then I had a choice…. I didn’t have to do it. I could have gone anywhere…ANYWHERE but here. This is not what I wanted, but I wanted to obey the voice of God more… I wanted to be in the center of His perfect will for my life more than I wanted fame, fortune, or accolades.  I wanted… and still want… to follow God’s plan for my life.

So, I ask myself the same question sometimes…. where WOULD I be? If he hadn’t answered the call and been right where he should be? If I hadn’t answered the call and landed right where I should be? Where would I be? I think I know… I’d be on the seeker-friendly bandwagon, preaching compromise and watering down the truth. I would be chasing dollars instead of destiny. I would have religion with no relationship. I’d be crusty…There would be no power and anointing…. I would not have the influence I now have; there would be no favor of God… no divine connections. And then I think…where would my children be? What about my own spiritual sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters? Friends and neighbors I’ve come in contact with? Where would we be?

Thanks, Apostle… thanks for saying, “Yes!” to Holy Ghost. Thank you for staying through all the hard times… for praying through and pressing in. Thank you so much for showing us there is more to being a Christian than being blessed…. there is BEING ABLESSING. I thank you for your life of obedience and sacrifice…. your willingness to lay your life down for others and for this community… this territory…. the Body of Christ. I know you didn’t have to… but I sure am glad you did!

Happy Birthday, Apostle! Your life is making a difference.

~Linda

(article image: COUNTRY PATH © Dainis Derics | Dreamstime.com )