Keep the Faith Now

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture : “Why will you die?” “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the sovereign Lord. Turn and Live! Ezekiel 18:31-32

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "For although we live in the natural realm, we don't wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bows in obedience to the Anointed One (God)" . 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ( TPT Bible ) Explanation: Paul is talking about strongholds, the aramaic word for strongholds can also be translated "rebellious castles". These strongholds take place in our minds, our thoughts, the center of our soul. They can also be referred to as, demonic strongholds or centers of opposition to the light of the gospel. Paul lets us know that our weapons are a divine...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "He canceled out every legal violation we had on our record and the old arrest warrant that stood to indict us. He erased it all---our sins, our stained soul, He deleted it all and they cannot be retrieved! Everything we once were in Adam has been placed onto His cross and nailed permanently there as a public display of cancellation." Colossians 2:14 ( TPT ) Explanation: Paul is speaking of the record of debt that stood against us and it's legal demands, he's speaking about the implications of not following God's will. In spite of man's criminal act against God He used Jesus to fulfill all of His legal demands against mankind. Exercise: Expunged is to erase or remove completely, something unwanted or unpleasant. To delete, wipe out, blot out, destroy, obliterate, eradicate, to eliminate. God through Jesus Christ successfully destroyed the records of every believer, through our conviction and faith are past is unavailable ...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "If I had the greatest gift of faith that could move mountains, but have never learned to love, then I am nothing." I Corinthians 13:2 ( TPT Bible ) Explanation: In midst of the conflict of spiritual gifts in Corinth, Paul prioritizes these gifts, setting in place the functions, purpose and boundaries, that if they are not exercised in love there use is in vain. Exercise: In the church today people are extremely driven by the gifts they possess. Many use their gifts to bring themselves glory rather than glorify God. Paul explains in chapter 12 the different gifts in the body of Christ but there is a superior way to live and operate in those gifts. Love is the key. It doesn't matter your talent or skill set but do you have love? You could be a great orator, speak in tongues, you can have great faith, but not know how to love and treat people. You can prophecy, be generous, be a matyr but without the pure motive of love it has no val...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you....both yours and mine." Romans 1:12 (EXBible ) Explanation: Paul writes this letter to the believers in Rome, he longs to get there that he might impart and enhance the spirituality of those in that region. He wants to motivate, encourage and strengthen them for ministry. His hope is that their faith would sync, that the encouragement, strength and comfort would be mutual. Exercise: It is so important to connect with the right people. Scripture tells us about the amazing miracles and moves of God when believers are in sync. Sync or synchronizing is to be in harmony, agreement or accord. Acts tells us that on the day of Pentecost in the upper room the saints were in sync and the Holy Spirit fell upon them all, His power worked through them, and that day 3000 were saved. Scripture also reveals to us about the power of being in sync, Matthew 18:19 lets us know that if two of you sync by ...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Your lives light up the world. Let others see your light from a distance, for how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? Who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it's placed where everyone in the house can benefit from it's light." Matthew 5:14-15 ( TPT Bible) Explanation : Jesus is describing to His disciples the nature of a servant of the Kingdom of God. It describes the influence every true believer should have in this world. The function of light is to make things visible so people can gain understanding by what is seen. Any believer that fails to stay lit is going against his nature as a new creature in Christ. The light is a reflected light, so that through us many will believe and praise God. Praise in this text is a translated term which means to manifest, when we shine our light we manifest or make visible the character and the nature of God. Exercise: In urban vocabulary the word li...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward." Philippians 3:14 ( AMPC Bible ) Explanation: Paul in this scripture gives us an athletic metaphor. Compelling Christians to view themselves as contenders in a race. Keep running hard towards the finish line, concentrate and keep the aim in view. Paul was quite clear that he had not achieved the prize as of yet but that he would keep pressing and moving forwards no matter how difficult. Exercise: A seasoned athlete knows that the race isn't won or lost until you have reached the end. You have to imagine yourself a winner, you can't slack off and be laid back, you have to be persistent and persevere. You have to keep sprinting toward the only thing that counts and that is to cross the finish line. We have to mature so we can have the right thinking while trying to obtain the prize. You may not ever have it all to...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Then he showed me (the angel of the Lord) the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb." Revelation 22:1 ( AMPC Bible ) Explanation: The angel shows John a pure river of water, the water of life which flows from the throne of God and the Lamb. In the middle of the street of the city on either side of the river was the tree of life, yielding every month fresh fruit. The leaves of the tree were for the healing and restoration of the nations. The angel spoke to John revealing to him that there would no longer exist anything that is accursed, detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful or horrible. That the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. Example: Life in this world has left us dry and thirsty in a weary, weary land. But the good news is that there is a river that flows from the sanctuary of heaven that is pure, free from the delusional contents of this world. ...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. All at once every prison door flung open and the chains of all the prisoners came loose." Acts 16:26 ( TPT Bible) Explanation: Paul and Silas after being severely beaten, were thrown into prison, the jailer on duty was commanded to guard them securely. So the jailer placed them in the innermost cell of the prison and had their feet bound and chained. Undaunted by the situation, they prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God, while all the other prisoners listened to their worship. Their cries and worship reached God and every prisoner was set free. Example: Miracles occur in painful places through consistent fasting, prayer and worship. God's heart was moved by His servants faith, prayer and praise and He responded with power. You may not be in a literal prison, but many of us are in situations that have us bound and in chains. In the darkest a...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Because they did not have any faith, He did not perform many miracles there." Matthew 13:58 (NIV Bible) Explanation:   "Jesus said to them, A prophet is respected everywhere except in his own town and by his own family." (13:57) The Lord was referring to His home of Nazareth. It was a small town where there was not much moral or religious character. Nazareth in the Greek form of Hebrew was nester, which means shoot or sprout, a watch tower. Jesus went everywhere, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. But amongst His own people and family He was misunderstood and rejected. Exercise: To every man is given a measure of faith. Often we see many who may not be followers of Christ believe for healing, for a better life, for their family, success, and receive it. Why? Because of faith, God honors faith. On the flip side of that I see followers of Christ not healed, not successful, because of our disbelief. We bel...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "God does wonders that cannot be understood; He does so many miracles [marvelous acts] they cannot be counted." Job 5:9 ( Expanded Bible ) Explanation: We all know the affliction of Job. In this chapter Job's friend Eliphaz makes an appeal assuming the cause of Job's situation. He tells his friend that if it was Him he would look to God and put his troubles in front of Him. He does great things, too great to be understood and the wonders of what He does and can do is limitless. He expands on the fact that God gives rain on the earth and sends water on the fields. He exalts the humble and lift those filled with sorrow to a safe place and that those who have no hope, will have hope and what is not right and good will have to shut it's mouth. Exercise: As Eliphaz made his appeal to Job, my friends I make mine to you! Confess your hope and confidence in the Lord, He will foil the plans of the enemy, it will be thwarted and it...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "God kept releasing a flow of extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul.....people took Paul's handkerchiefs and articles of clothing, even pieces of cloth that had touched his skin, laying them on the bodies of the sick and diseases and demons left them and they were healed." Acts 19:11 ( TPT Bible) Explanation: Ephesus was a large and important city on the west coast of Asia Minor where Paul founded a church. It was a very economical city being the trade center of that day. It's population was about 300,000 and was known for it's culture and the religion. The temple of Artemis was ranked as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Artemis was known as the moon goddess, the goddess of hunting and the patroness of young girls. Ephesus became famous for superstition, the dark arts, a cesspool for the occult, magicians, witches, clairvoyants, con artist, murderers and perverts. Paul comes in and aggressively and pers...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "We acknowledge You as our "Provider" of all we need each day." Matthew 6:11 ( TPT Bible) Explanation: Give us bread or life each day. Bread becomes a metaphor of our needs, physically, mentally and emotionally. In this prayer Jesus is teaching the disciples to always acknowledge God every day as Provider of everything needed for daily living. It refers to God's continual care and supplication. God extends to us what we need and desire, He relinquishes to us the necessities for life. Exercise: When you pray, ask God for the support to serve others. We don't seek God to provide just for us, but we seek in our request enough bread that we can give to our neighbor as well. God's word reveals to us that God has made adequate preparations and arrangements for our care. Jesus said don't worry about food and clothing, pursue the Kingdom of God and everything will be made available for you to live well. Provide origi...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Manifest Your Kingdom realm and cause Your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10 ( TPT Bible ) Explanation: The second petition of the Lord's prayer is referring to the will of God. We should pray earnestly for the Kingdom of Heaven to to be at hand in the earth. Declaring that God's Kingdom come and begin to reign here. We who believe become subjects to it and our lives become the character of it. Exercise: What God has promised we must pray for. His word instructs us to pursue His Kingdom. Above everything constantly and consistently chase after the realm of God's Kingdom. His Kingdom is at hand and should reign in the heart of every one who believes the word of the Lord. Manifest in the greek is the word phaneros (faneros) to make visible, apparent, clear, evident, or well known. Everyday you should pray for the Kingdom of God to become clear, visible and evident in the earth and ...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "Our Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of Your Name be the center on which our lives turn." Matthew 6:9 ( TPT BIBLE ) Explanation: The Lord's prayer is declared everyday. It is the prayer given by Jesus as a pattern for prayer to His disciples. Our Father is addressing God personally as we should. Honoring Him of His Fatherhood, His excellence, His magnificence, the beauty and wonder of who He is. We acknowledge  where He dwells and begin to express His distinct Holiness. Exercise: All praise and honor belongs to God. He is to be worshiped. His name distinguishes His quality, His character and describes to us the asset that He is. He is the splendor and beatific happiness, the grandeur, the gratifying One. He is the resplendence of everyday, let us give glory to God. He is our center, the point, the reason for our existence. He is the pivotal participant in which we function and have our identity. He is the sou...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "It is through Him that we live and function and have our identity; just as your own poets have said, Our lineage comes from Him." Acts 17:28 ( TPT Bible ) Explanation: The God who made the world and everything in it is the owner and Lord of the heavenly realm and the earthly realm and does not live in man made temples. He supplies life and breath and all things to every living being. From one man, Adam He made every man and woman and every race of humanity and spread us all over the earth. Our lineage comes from God and since our lineage can be traced backed to Him how could we even think that the divine image of God could be compared to something made of gold or silver or stone, or by man's clever imagination. This disproves man's theory of all the things or other beings that some declare we originate from. We are all genetically connected to God. He gave us life. Our nature come from Him, we are His offspring. The greek word is ...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "In my flesh was given to me the adversary's messenger to harass me, three times I pleaded with the Lord to relieve me of this. But He answered me, "My Grace is always more than enough for you, and My power finds its full expression through your weaknesses. "So I'm not defeated by my weakness,........I am made yet stronger." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ( TPT Bible) Explanation: In this text there is no clear indication of what Paul's issue was. But we do know that it was something he considered a thorn, something that caused him great distress or irritation. Paul did not have a demon but it is stated that it may have been possible that he was being harassed or hindered by one because of his ministry and faith in Jesus. Exercise: Many of you can relate with the Apostle Paul being harassed and hindered by the adversary. Many of us have prayed as Paul has prayed, most certainly in ministry, Lord free me from this burden,...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "So I say to my soul, don't be discouraged. Don't be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me. "Then I'll have plenty of reasons to praise Him all over again. Yes living before His face is my "Saving Grace!" Psalms 42:11 ( TPT Bible ) Explanation: In this psalm we see David struggling with his circumstances, his unanswered prayers and himself. He fed on his grief, the pain and the ridicule of the people around him. In v.5  he speaks to his soul, "why would you be depressed?" for David was destined for greatness. "Why would you sink in despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what I will still sing with praise, for living before His face is my saving grace! v.6 Here I am depressed and downcast." David began to encourage himself when he began to think of the place of God, His presence and His glory. Exercise: In Psalm 13 David is dealing with depr...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: "You are not forgotten, for you have been chosen and destined by the Father God. The Holy Spirit has set you apart to be God's holy ones, obedient followers of Jesus Christ who have been gloriously sprinkled with His blood. May God's delightful grace and peace cascade over you many times over!" I Peter 1:2 ( TPT Bible ) Explanation: Jesus told Peter that his life mission after his resurrection would be to strengthen the faith of believers worldwide. Remember Jesus rebukes Peter and informs him that He has prayed for Peter's faith that it will not fail and when he has turned back he is to strengthen his brothers. For this Peter needed an unusual grace to strengthen his faith. That grace cascaded over his life, over and over that he was emboldened to persevere, empowered to overcome and encouraged to remain faithful. It was grace that restored Peter after his fall. Exercise: Everyone needs grace to overcome life's diffic...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: " John taught the truth about Him when He announced to the people, He's the One! Set your hearts on Him!......And now out of His fullness we are fulfilled! And from Him we receive grace heaped upon more grace!"   John 1:16 ( TPT Bible) Explanation: John was a voice in the wilderness teaching and baptizing, preparing the way for the True Voice, the Living Expression, the Word in the flesh, Jesus. He declared that the law was given through Moses, but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ. Before Jesus came many wondered if John the Baptist might be the Messiah, but John was a vessel used by God to point others to Jesus. He knows His place and the grace of his assignment. Exercise:   In   Colossians 3:1   Paul says " set your affections on things above, not on the things that are on earth. John was testifying to the Grace of God coming to us in the flesh, crying out, there is One coming that is greater than me, He's the One...

S.E.E.D. For Today Scripture: " Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry." Proverbs 19:15 NIV Explanation: Shift is to change for or replace by another, it's simply to change direction, position or place. A turning. In the book of Wisdom the writer shares with us the dangers of no change and being comfortable, complacent, and staying put. That person will never have more than what they already have and will soon starve. We are in a new and marvelous season and we see everything in the earth is shifting and especially God. It is detrimental to a believer when they lack the wisdom and understanding to move when God is moving. What ever God is doing you have to get in it, don't sit there and watch God move, when God says it time to shift, you must be ready to shift with Him. Exercise: Today I want you to confront your laziness, procrastination or your pessimism, ( many of us lack in hope and confidence for the future .) Readjust your thinking...

"Everything seems to go wrong when you feel weak and depressed. But when you choose to be cheerful (happy) every day will bring you more and more joy and fullness." Proverbs 15:15 (TPT) Daily life can become so taxing and difficult it will remove you from a place of ever having a satisfied life. Many work hard because they feel as if they can change their position in life they will be happier. Happiness is not something that can be obtained by your status or position in life, it is the disposition of a person that leads them into the fullness of happiness. A position can be a relative place, situations, or a standing, a situation that confers advantage or preference. Disposition is the qualities of mind and character, your mentality, the way you think, an inclination, or your makeup. It's not the position of a life that makes you happy but your disposition that will promote a healthy frame of mind that signifies the enjoyment of what life offers. When we have v...

"Here are Kingdom revelations, words to live by, and words of wisdom to empower you to reign in life,.........."Use them as keys to unlock the treasures of true knowledge." Proverbs 1:1-2 (TPT) The book of Proverbs is considered to be wisdom that comes from above. In Hebrew the word for proverbs means more than just a wise saying, it can mean to rule, to reign in power and to take dominion. It is also considered a byword or precept, an embodiment or representation of some quality. Solomon asked God to be embodied with wisdom, a representation of the character and quality of God. The keys to unlocking your best life are found in the word and precepts, the instructions of God. It opens up your understanding to give you the proper insight on all of life. It teaches you to value discipline in order to have the ability to choose what is right and fair. Wisdom will teach the naive how to become clever and teach you how to grow and live with discretion. Wisdom will demo...

"Let these men go. Ignore them. If this is just another movement arising from human enthusiasm, it will die out soon enough. But then again, if God is in this, you won't be able to stop it_unless, of course, you're ready to fight against God!" Acts 5:38-39 Movements are the culture of this generation. It is defined as organized activities working toward an objective, or an organized effort to promote or attain an end. It also defines motion toward something or a cause. In this 5th Chapter of Acts we continue to see the Apostles being persecuted for the cause of the Gospel. They have been put into prison and supernaturally released. Their incarcerators have sent for them but they are not where they caged them. When they find them they are in the temple courts, teaching the people the word of God. The council is perplexed and fuming for they warned them to never say anything in the name of Jesus again. Peter and the Apostles made it clear that they were not about...

"What should we do with these men? We can't deny the signs and wonders. But to keep this propaganda from spreading any further among the people, let's threaten them severely and warn them to never speak to anyone in this name again." Acts 4:16-17(  TPT) Educated, wealthy and elite people in power can be a formula for unprincipled collaborationists and political sycophants, who would sell their mothers for power. Judas Iscariot the disciple fell into this same type of mindset selling Jesus to the Sanhedrin and became a collaborationist, betraying the Son of God. In this chapter of Acts we see the Sadducees leading the incarceration of the Apostles. They saw these miracles and the message of the gospel as a threat to their political structure. They were materialistic rationalist, in Acts 23:8 it states that they did not believe in the resurrection, angels or spirits. To them the Messiah was simply an ideal. Today we have a similar issue operating in America. Powe...

"Pray to the Lord for the city where you are living, because if good things happen in the city, good things will happen to you also [ in its peace and security, you will have peace and security ]." Jeremiah 29:7 Living in one of the most influential cities in America can be extremely fruitful to it's residents. As a native Philadelphian I am drawn to the history of this city which means brotherly love. As a Black American I understand that though in a free land their are still unnecessary means of captivity for people of different ethnicities, nevertheless it's still my city and I believe it to be the best. In sharing this story in Jeremiah 29 I could not help to see the many similarities of the life of the Jewish remnant who were in exile in Babylonia. God had instructed them to strive to get along with their captors. They were to be peacemakers not troublemakers and they were to sincerely pray for their enemies. This may not be easy for everyone to agree upon ...

“So God created human beings in His image. In the image of God He created them. Genesis  1:27  NLT In light of everything that we are facing in our society today, police brutality and the horrific and senseless crimes that we commit against one another mankind must remember that we are destroying God's masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10 tells us;  "For we are God's masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." This was never God's plan He knew that after Adam sinned that all mankind would no longer have His nature so He sent His Son into the world that we would again be like Him. He knows the heart of men, and His message to us is to love one another as you love yourself. Love and hate are at war, this is not about race, this is a matter of human dignity. Humanity is the human race the action of humanity is humanness, benevolence, compassion, brotherly love, fraternity, fellow feeling, philanthropy, kindn...

"For the Lord Our God has brought us His glory-light." "I offer Him my life in joyous sacrifice." "Tied tightly to your altar I will bring you praise." For you are the God of my life and I lift you high, exalting you to the highest place." Psalms 118:27-28 The 118th Psalm speaks to every believer in every age. The background is said to be the dedication of the restored walls and gates of "Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles in 444B.C. in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah." The Jews in the city were surrounded by enemies who ridiculed and threatened to attack them and stop the work that the Lord had given to them. The rebuilding project took fifty two days and the report of this remarkable and phenomenal accomplishment astounded the nations." The Psalm writer expresses the joy the people experienced as they marveled over what the Lord had done on their behalf." (ref...Be Exultant) As people of God we must see the Lord in ev...

"You satisfy my every desire with good things. "You've supercharged my life so that I soar again like a flying eagle in the sky!" Psalms 103:5 ( The Passion Bible ) Most often as children of God we really misappropriate the meaning of belonging to God. We often lose sight of this wonderful privilege. In the 103rd Psalm the writer is expressing his praise and gratitude for the Father's love. How his soul praises him and that it bows in wonder and love towards God. In this psalm he describes how his soul is celebrating the miracles that have been performed on his behalf and in spite of all that he has done God has forgiven him, healed him inside and out. He shares how he was recused from a living hell, then crowned with love and mercy. His praise is far from superficial because he understood that his help came only from God. It is so wonderful to know that in spite of everything God can renew and restore us. In v.5 we want to focus on three words, satisfy , ...

"But you are God's chosen generation, His royal priesthood, His holy nation, His peculiar people, all the old titles of God's people now belong to you. It is for you now to demonstrate the goodness of Him who has called you out of darkness into His amazing light. In the past you were not a people at all: now you are the people of God. In the past you had no experience of His mercy, but now it's intimately yours."   I Peter 2:9 Peter gives a clear contrast of the destiny and privilege of believers. As a believer we are a distinct group from the rest of the world, unified by the Holy Spirit. Not by a physical birth but by spiritual rebirth into the royal family through Jesus Christ. In light of that you must live according to this principle of no longer living a commoner's life. Walk in retrospect of the Kingdom of which you represent, unique and holy. Remember to hold fast to what you have for the Lord is coming soon, see to it that no one takes your crown...

"Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." Psalms 100:3 ( AMPC ) The excellence, beauty and perfection of God is exhibited in all creation. The awe in the Psalm is seen in the word "Know" which in the text means to know by experience, in the dictionary it means to acknowledge or to have developed an relationship with (someone) through meeting and spending time with them, to realize, be conscious of, comprehend, recognize the nature of, discern, or be convinced or certain of. We know God by what we have experienced in our hearts and have witnessed of His incomparable glory. "He made us; He has chosen us to be His own, it was not our doing but God's. The metaphor of sheep as God's own people is to portray Him as a Shepherd, that leads and guides His people into the places that have been prepared for th...

"I will put my rainbow in the clouds to be a sign of my promise to the earth." Genesis 9:13 (GWTB) In this covenant with humanity and all living creatures, God makes a promise to never destroy life in the earth through another universal flood. Throughout biblical history to help the people of God to remember His covenants He would give them a visible sign. In Genesis 1:14 God said for there to be lights in the sky to serve as signs to mark sacred times and seasons. Rainbows are caused by the sunlight filtering through water in the air, each drop becomes a prism to release the colors hidden in the white light of the sun. It is an optical phenomenon that appears when sunlight and atmospheric conditions are just right and the position of the viewer is just right to see it. ( scijinks.gov...It's all about the weather ) "Be Basic" by (Warren Weiserbe) tells of a story about Mark Twain and a friend who steps out of church just as a violent storm beg...

"Since there is one bread, we [believers] who are many are [united into] one body; for we all partake of the one bread, [which represents the body of Christ]." I Corinthians 10:17 (AMP) The life of the believer is based on our partaking in our human body the things that Jesus gave us and His word spoken to us, demonstrating His divine life. His life being the one bread emphasizes the unity of His church. God has committed many good things to us of which we must be faithful. We are living in a day where there is so much hatred, division and divisive measures being taken against one another. The world needs a source of unity that one thing that brings us all together and unlike the world the church has that source. The question is does the body of Christ partake in the source that unites us or do we manage to participate in that which unties us? I Corinthians 12:12 lets us know that the body of Christ is a unit, "for by one Spirit we all were immersed and mingled in...