What are your priorities?

            " For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always."                                     (Matt 26:11)




                  As we study this verse, we find that Jesus was establishing priorities! In this fast paced world that we live in, we find that time management is of essence. Time waits for no one! We can plan and get into a routine, but sooner or later, the Lord throws a "monkeywrech!" For example, you go home after a hard day's work. You might spend some time with the family, see a little TV, pray and go to bed!
                  All of a sudden, you can't sleep. You're not worried that your bills aren't paid, because your trust is in the Lord. You have a good conscience before the Lord, yet you can't sleep. An image of your son's face comes to mind, but you want to sleep.
              Then, you find out that your son was involved in a car accident. The grace of God, may have, prevented him from being killed-But, God was calling you to pray for him. We can't put God in a box. Being sensitive to the Lord is essential to make it in the end times.
                         In Matt 26:11, we see a change. Jesus was given an expensive perfume. This perfume was poured on his head.It was of such high quality that its smell was spread all across the room. The disciples expressed their disgust and wanted to use that money to help the poor. Jesus told them the ministry to the poor can wait and that this was more important!
                         Brethren, its not that Jesus did not care for the poor, but he considered this woman's act important! This ministry was preparing him for his burial! Did you know that giving is a ministry? I marvel at all the attacks that come to any Pastor when he/she asks for money! The mocks and jeers of the world can get you thinking before you give. You've got to die to the world's pull. 
                 This illustrates a few things. First, Jesus was not POOR! Here we see that he used a high priced "Cologne." What is your reaction when you see the Pastor using a high priced cologne? Would your church be willing to bless the man/woman of God buying them a high priced cologne/perfume? 
                    We need to honor those in ministry. The laborer is worthy of his/her hire. Take some time to bless your Pastor! Pray for them! They have a hard job and they watch over your souls. Honor those in ministry and God will surely bless you! God bless! 

Get ready, get ready, get ready!

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"
                (I Peter 1:13)


            My title, "Get ready", is quoting TD Jakes! We need to be expecting great and mighty things in the Lord! My question to you is-How is your love life? 
That phrase was popular in the late '70's and '80s! I am,not, talking about your love life with your wife-I am talking about your love life with God!
            Does going to a prayer meeting bore you? Do you know what prayer the Pastor will pray? What song the worship team will play? Let's be real, sometimes, prayer can be boring but it doesn't have to be! For starters, we serve a God of surprises! We need to be in expectation mode!
            When I was leading prayer at my church, I would try to be open to the Spirit. There would be times in which I would tell the congregation to just forget about yourself and praise God! Sometimes, I would tell them to just be quiet before God. We need to expect God to move in our prayer services! We need to expect healings and, also, hear testimonies. Being open to God in our prayer services will enhance our love life with God and we will be expecting great and mighty things! Get ready, get ready, get ready!!!
              

Nip it at the bud!

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
                                    (John 6:70)


                     Jesus said these words, after his ministry had a massive shaking. (John 6: 26-71) Jesus, at one time, had 70 disciples following him! (Lk 10:1) He, also, ministered to a multitude of people! Any minister would have been on cloud nine, set for life, but then something happened-Jesus rocked the boat! He spoke about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. We, all, know that what he was speaking about was communion, but in looking at this, we see a few things. 
          First, he was speaking to the Jews and they observed the law. Communion was a foreign word to them. Second, he spoke of eating his flesh and blood. Under Jewish law, that was prohibited. The letter of the law had caused them to miss the real content of what Jesus was saying. They missed a new thing that would have, greatly, enriched their walk with the Lord. 
                    After the multitudes of people left and the 70, Jesus continued to rock the boat. He was, just, left with 12 disciples who remained faithful. They were, probably, feeling good at being faithful, when Jesus put another "Monkey-Wrench!" He called one of them a devil! 
                     The gospel does not, elaborate, what happened after that, but as I read Matt 26, I noticed one thing. Jesus had announced his betrayal at the communion table, they were shocked! They asked-Lord, is it I? I noticed something here-from John 6:70, which was an earlier event before communion. They did not ask that question when Jesus called one of them a devil! 
                  I don't know why they did not ask that question earlier. Maybe they were, still, reeling at the deep revelation of eating Jesus flesh and blood, but they did not pay much attention to that statement. Whatever the reason, that problem area in the disciples life, that devil, which was Judas, winded up betraying Jesus. What does this show us?
                Sin is a thing that we need to pay attention to. We, all, have issues and weak areas in our lives, but if we ignore it-it will grow! Consequences will come as a result and it can be damaging to our lives. Don't allow the devil to continue to have a foothold in your life or ministry. Ask God for wisdom and confront the problem area and you'll be glad you did! Victory will be yours and a testimony will be added as a result! 

Knowing the real Jesus!

                           

                                          Terry Santos is the wife of Pastor Angel "Caleb" Santos and is

                                          an ordained minister. Married for 32 years, she is the proud mother

                                          of 4 boys and 3 grandchildren.

                                           "  Jesus wept" (John 11:35)

                    Greetings. Here in this verse, we are reminded of the humanity of Jesus. Yes, a short verse but saying a lot. As he wept, he showed his love and concern for his people. Yes, he was God almighty, but he was a man. He had feelings and emotions just like we do! Why did he wept?

                    Maybe it was for the people's hopelessness! Remember he came to his friend Lazarus burial. It was a sad time and his sisters were devastated. Perhaps he wanted to identify with their pain.(Rom 12:15) Whether you believe it or not, Jesus identifies with your pain. We should too, when we comfort our brothers and sisters. 

               In Luke 19:41, Jesus, also, wept. Why? Because the people were in a mess. If you read Luke 19:41-44, he was weeping at their destruction.  He was weeping because they were spiritually blind. It was because of their blindness that they were giving a foothold to the enemy to destroy their city and family. Many times, we are quick to blame God for destruction and tragedies when it can come from sin and a hardened heart. Jesus weeps for us and wants us to choose life. Choose life today, heaven will have a party and you will see that to taste the Lord will be the best thing in your life. God bless. 

Prayer--Dear Lord, Forgive us if we have grieved the Holy Spirit. Help us to have the mind of Christ. Help us to have right priorities in our lives. We declare that we love righteousness and hate iniquity. We declare that Christ is made unto us wisdom. We receive your wisdom for all the issues in our lives and declare that you are glorified in all we do. Thank you, Lord, for correcting and loving us. In Jesus name...Amen. 

The living word!

" When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." (John 11:4)


                     Tradition has taught us that God gets glorified in sickness. Nothing could be further than the truth. At first glance, we see that this verse may support that tradition, but let's do some digging to see the hidden treasure of this wonderful verse. Lazarus was sick unto death. His sisters came to him, asking him to heal their brother.
                    What did Jesus do? He said-"THIS SICKNESS IS NOT UNTO DEATH, BUT FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, THAT THE SON OF GOD MIGHT BE GLORIFIED THEREBY!" I guess that when the sisters left, they might have been scratching their heads and asking themselves-"DID YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS SAYING?" Nevertheless, they figured Jesus would be there sooner or later!
                   Notice, Jesus took his sweet time and left to see Lazarus. When he arrived, Martha laid the "blame" game on the Lord. Notice, this same Martha was the one who was worried about the work that she had to do in her house. Jesus, who was present, was teaching her sister the word. Worried about her work, she told Jesus to stop teaching and tell her sister to help her.  Jesus told her to leave her sister alone because she was spending time learning from God! (Luke 10:40-42) 
                   Wrong priorities played a part in Martha's life. Priorities in her work and not focusing on God. No wonder she fell apart and blamed Jesus when Lazarus died! Then, she got herself together and spoke faith-"whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." (John 11:22) Here,we see a battle. Your mind is in a battle! Your mind has to be in line with God's word and every thought has to be taken captive!
                     Then, Jesus ordered her to remove the stone. Again, we see a battle of the mind. Martha reasoned-He has been dead for 4 days. Why should I remove this stone when he is stinking by this time? Here is what Jesus responded. Watch this, or you'll miss out on this wonderful revelation!--
       " Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)
                  What was the glory of God? When he raised Lazarus from the dead and healed him! When did he tell Martha this? Days before he died! Had Martha received the word, just like the Roman Centurion did, all these troubles could have been avoided! (Matt 8:8) God is not glorified in sickness-HE IS GLORIFIED IN MIRACLES AND HEALINGS!! (Matt 15:31,Matt 9:8) Friend, the word is alive and full of power. It raised Lazarus from the dead. It will make a difference in your life if you believe! Use the power that is in his word today! 

Father, Thank you for speaking to me. In this day, Minister to me and help me to trust in your word. Your word is alive and has power. Your word heals and delivers me. Your word is destroying yokes in my life. It is taking me out of financial lack and oppression. Thank you for delivering me. Thank you for sending your word--In Jesus name. Amen 
                            
                  

Don't get sidetracked!

                    " Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that." (Matt 27:3-4)

         It is interesting to see what happened to Judas when he betrayed Jesus. The word says he repented himself. What does that mean? When we talk about repentance, we think that everything is all right and that God will forgive- but that is not true! You can repent to yourself and not to God. You can feel remorseful, terrible, try to do restitution, but not repent before God. That was Judas mistake. He was so remorseful that he refused to forgive himself. What happened? Scriptures recorded that he hung himself. 

          When we sin, don't run from God-RUN TO HIM! Confess it and get it out of the way. If you are bound, ask God to give you the grace to be free. The Holy Spirit is your helper and if you let him, he can help you break any bondage in your life. We need to learn to set proper priorities in our lives!

           The religious leaders were, also, sidetracked in their hatred for Jesus! Here was Judas, remorseful and needing ministry, yet they neglected their calling to minister and left him to his fate. They were not only guilty of the blood of Jesus, but of Judas. Their hatred of Jesus not only enslaved them, but caused spiritual blindness. It blinded them of their priesthood ministry toward Judas. 

               The apostle Paul says that all things are lawful but are not expedient. (I Cor 6:12) Did you know that even a good thing can sidetrack you and cause you to miss out on what God has for you? For example, if you listen to gospel CDs, watch Christian TV and don't have your own personal devotional, it can hurt you. We need to learn how to get a  personal word for our lives and studying the word is the key to learn to hear from God. A good thing can enslave you and before you know it, God has second place instead of being first. In this day, decide to put Jesus first in everything! Doing this will enhance our relationship with him and allow us to enjoy God's best for us! 

Prayer--Lord, help me to set proper priorities in my life. Help me to put you first in all I do. Show me the things that are sidetracking me. I love you, Lord, and desire to hear from you. Help me to be red hot for you so I can honor you in all I do---In Jesus name. Amen! 

WHAT KIND OF BOOK DO I WANT TO WRITE?

 " Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name." (Mal 3:16)

                                            Pastor Terry Santos
                                            Guest blogger

                               Who wants to be an author? "Oh, but I can't write!"---You might say! We are all writing a book every time we open our mouths to speak. (1) Malachi 3:16 tells us that there is a book of remembrance in God's presence. Every time we speak, God writes it down. If we speak lack and disbelief, he writes it down. If we speak faith, love, forgiveness, etc---He writes it down. Let's look at the following verse---
              " Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?" (Psalms 56:8)
                           
                 Our lives are an open book before the Lord. He, even, records our sorrows! My question to you is--WHAT KIND OF BOOK DO I WANT TO WRITE? A book that will bless others? 
A book that will glorify the Lord or do I want to write a book that will discourage others? A book that will blaspheme the name of God? As far as I'm concerned, I want to write a book that will honor the Lord! Remember that every word you speak is recorded in his book! The word says that we are living epistles. (II Cor 3:2-3) You are a letter, read by everyone you meet.
                     I like reading a good book! Don't you? We want to be the kind of book that no one can put down.  Also, there is no cliffhangers in God's book. The word says ---WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS! We win and the devil loses! That to me is a good ending! So, in this day, decide that you are going to be a book that will glorify God and bring others to Christ! God bless!
               
(1) Ps 45:1
Verses used courtesy of www.biblegateway.com