Monday Morning Moments
Monday Morning Moments
We should not conform to the world but be transformed by renewing our minds to understand and live out God's will (Romans 12:2). This transformation is key to being Christ-like.
Jesus' resurrection offers hope and assurance to believers that death is not final. It promises a future resurrection with transformed, immortal bodies, just as Jesus demonstrated.
Choose humility, repentance, and seeking God over trying to control our circumstances.
Actively choose de-escalation and kindness over retaliation when confronted with challenges. By responding with grace, we can cultivate peace and become a reflection of God's love in the world.
Our relationship with God is measured more by our human relationships than by religious rituals.
One cannot RIGHTLY claim to love God without also loving and treating others well.
Matthew 5:15-16 (NLT)
15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
The Beatitudes: a summary of the gospel. The Ten Commandments: a summary of the law.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5OnF3sg0cY (Sermon on the Mount clip from The Chosen)
Be very particular about who you surround yourself with throughout the week.
Waiting on the Lord is not simply biding time; it's an opportunity for God to work in us, shaping our character, deepening our understanding of His ways, and ultimately, strengthening our hope.
It's time to stop being lukewarm and get on fire for Jesus! Not next week, not next month, but today! Here's the formula: Pray constantly, read daily, assemble weekly. Let's change what's been pulling us down and making us casual believers.
Get on fire for Jesus!!!. Make 2025 the year you come alive……for Jesus!!
Make the most of Sunday mornings: Come Hungry, Leave Full. Come Early, Stay Late
Get on fire. Make 2025 the year you come alive……for Jesus!!
Make the most of Sunday mornings: Come Hungry, Leave Full. Come Early, Stay Late
Effective prayer demonstrates complete reliance on God. There is no substitute for prayer. Daily. Without ceasing.
Faith is the right and pleasing response to ALL God's promises. Heb. 11:6 (KJV)
It is crucial to remain faithful even when faced with unexpected outcomes and challenges, as God's plans may differ from our expectations. Trusting in God's word and remaining steadfast in faith allows individuals to persevere through difficulties and ultimately witness the fulfillment of God's purposes.
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit..." (Jude 20) Praying in the Spirit greatly helps to build us up in our faith. When we don't know what to pray for, the Spirit will help us pray. He prays in an unknown vocabulary, praying for our needs when we don't even know them yet (see Romans 8:26-27).
Jesus’ sinlessness: He was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15)
As long as we focus on our banner—Jesus—we are guaranteed victory in every battle we face.
Rejoice in the Lord. Know Him Above All.
Philippians 4:13 reminds us, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." We can't do it on our own, but through Christ, we can. That’s why we must trust Him and give our lives to Him, continuing to trust in Him.
Remember, God is a present help in trouble, able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.
We have been saved from the penalty of sin. We have been justified. We are being saved from the power of sin. We are being sanctified. We will be saved from the presence of sin. We will be glorified.
True repentance: 2 Samuel 12:1-13 (changing our minds about sin and turning to God)
(Saving) Faith comes by hearing God’s Word. Romans 10:17
Acts 3:19 (NASB) 19 “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
Matthew 6:10 (NASB) 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Acts 16:25 – 26 (KJV)
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
Prayer and praise are powerful weapons!
God promises redemption for mankind in Genesis 3:15: “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel”, meaning that Jesus will eventually crush Satan, but Jesus will suffer in the process.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2)
“We MUST worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalms 103:12
Share the life-changing power of the gospel with the people around you.
Walk in the Spirit: Embrace a new life in Christ, filled with love, joy, peace, and the fruits of the Spirit, leaving behind sin and carnality.
God has given us an abundance of love, gentleness, compassion, and patience. We've been called to do the same. Ephesians 3:20-4:6
Be open and humble to learn and grow. Offer guidance with kindness, clarity, and respect. Foster a culture of mutual growth and encouragement.
He lost the battle but won the victory! A.W. Tozer said, “The Lord cannot fully bless a man until He has first conquered him.” God conquered Jacob by weakening him. the only way to victory was through surrender.
Addition by subtraction = He lost the battle but won the victory! A.W. Tozer said, “The Lord cannot fully bless a man until He has first conquered him.” God conquered Jacob by weakening him. the only way to victory was through surrender.
Jacob was left alone, and when we’re alone and at the end of our resources, then God can come to us and do something in us and for us.
The lives of Jacob and Esau teaches us the importance of valuing our God-given blessings and not squandering them for short-term gratification. We should strive to live lives that are pleasing to God, and make sure that nothing is more important than Jesus in our lives.
The blessings of God do not necessarily remove us from the difficulties of life. In fact, at times, the blessings of God can actually call us into places of hardship or struggle. Yet while God’s blessings over us do not take us away from difficulty, they declare the presence of God in the midst of the difficulty. God’s blessing testifies that something deeper is always at play in our lives. As Jacob discovered in Bethel, we are called to discover that “the Lord is in this place” (Genesis 30:17).
“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” NO!
Matt. 19:26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Lot had said, “I will take.” God said to Abraham, “I will give.” What a difference! “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you” (John 15:16)
Focus on living a life led by God's Spirit, storing up heavenly treasures through acts of kindness, humility, and service, rather than pursuing material wealth and societal approval.
Trust in God's provision and take faithful steps according to His guidance.
Salvation comes because by God’s grace He calls and sinners respond by faith. Abraham did not know the true God, and had done nothing to deserve knowing Him, but God graciously called him. “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you” (John 15:16).
“Obedience and humility will ALWAYS triumph over disobedience and arrogance!” Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22
Noah walked with God.
“it’s not about quantity, it’s about the quality of our confession”
Let's not just go through this whole walk of Christianity just for show; don't think God's going to just give us a free ticket into heaven just because we showed up and we joined the church or we gave a few bucks.
God ALWAYS shows up! Genesis 3:8 - 15 (NASB) 8 They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
“God said it. I believe it. And that settles it!”
Jesus always was, Jesus always is and Jesus always will be.
And while you're working, God is preparing. He is preparing your place so that when we leave this side of eternity, we can go right to that front desk in heaven.
If you want grace, God has it. If you want grace, God gives it. So there's nothing we can do for salvation because of the grace of God.
“Understand the times and know what to do.”
1 Chronicles 12:32 (NLT) 32 From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.
“Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart." Job 22:21 - 22 (ESV)
“Prayer is most effective when we learn to agree with God, according to His Word.” Job 22:21 - 22 (ESV) 21 “Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. 22 Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.
Jesus will crush (is currently crushing) Satan – Genesis 3:15
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Jesus intercedes for us – Luke 22:32
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Jesus secured our salvation even before Genesis 1 – Ephesians. 1:3-7
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NLT)
Sorrow can do one of two things to us. It can shake our faith; or it can root our faith ever deeper.
The more we grow spiritually (pray, study & worship daily), the bigger God will be in our lives (mind and body) and the bigger God gets, the smaller our adversary/”Goliaths” become! Read Psalm 34:3
God is ALWAYS working behind the scenes engineering our circumstances and setting us up for success. Read Isaiah 64:4
“If we fight, He fights for us, in us and through us…..victoriously”
Psalms 11:3 (KJV) 3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (5 of the 7 churches of Asia Minor had backslidden in Rev. 2 & 3.)
“If we fight, He fights for us, in us and through us…..victoriously”
We must keep our lamps trimmed and burning bright!
Prayer is not about a position or posture. Prayer is not about being heard by mumbling, chanting or giving a laundry list to God.
“The difference in knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus can be a matter of heaven or hell!” Luke 6:46- 47
What will God say about me? ”Well done!” (Matt. 25:21 ) or “depart from me” (Matt. 7:23)
Timing and time were of the essence. It wasn’t so much what Martha was doing, but when(and how) she was doing it. What’s the one thing in your life that might be a blind spot for you?
What’s the one thing in your life that might be a blind spot for you?
“The next time you’re between a rock and a hard place…. remember that Jesus is the Rock. Rock of ages!”
ISA. 26:4 TRUST IN THE LORD FOREVER, FOR THE LORD, THE LORD HIMSELF, IS THE ROCK ETERNAL.
“God wants us to give Him our hearts, and not just our lip service”
“In God’s eyes, sometimes less is more!” Matt.11:11
Considering all things, let us remind ourselves that the Bible says in all our ways acknowledge him and he will direct our path.
“As good Samaritans, we should go and do likewise!”
James 4:17 (ESV) So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
“God is love” (1 John 4:8). God does not merely love; He is love itself.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
“God’s (so called) worst, is better than Satan’s best!” Romans 8:28 (NLT) 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
“It’s not about how much we know, it’s about what we do with what we know!”
“Some see, but don’t perceive. Some hear, but don’t listen. Some give, but don’t invest. Some attend, but don’t engage. Some are informed, but don’t learn. Some know, but don’t practice.”
“He didn’t “see and believe”; he heard and believed.” My sheep hear My voice (John 10:27).
“Jesus is God and salvation is only through Jesus.”
Jesus demonstrates grace! Grace is kindness to those who are undeserving.
“Many people incidentally “touched” Jesus that day but ONLY the woman was healed! Because her touch was intentional!”
"It was not her touching Jesus but her trusting Jesus that brought her healing."
“Would any of you trade in the crumb of your salvation for anything in this world?”
“God is able to do all things…. but fail!”
“As we look into the Word of God, we see the Son of God and are transfigured by the Spirit of God into the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Isaiah 53:1 “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”
Isaiah 43:18 - 19 (NLT) 18 “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
No need on earth can exhaust God’s grace. Superabundance!
“we have heard him ourselves and we must be born again!”
“you and I must be born again!”
Matthew 11:28 - 30 (ESV)
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
“There are good ideas and then there are ‘God ideas’. Always chose God’s idea!” Luke 10:42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
Jesus know our past, present and future….and He still loves us.
“Jesus demands more than a change of words, but a change of life.”
Jesus’ baptism not only was a symbol of His identity with sinners, but was also a symbol of His death, burial and resurrection, and therefore an example of Christian baptism.
They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “ What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him. Mark 1:27
God has the ability to create ex nihilo. Latin: “Out of nothing”. That is God “creates new things out of nothing”
“Great faith does NOT change God’s will; it empowers us to AGREE with God’s will.” (1 John 5:14-15)
When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” Luke 7:9
“Jesus is God!” Heb. 1:3
The key to this entire encounter is that the centurion believed that Jesus was God in the flesh.
What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me?
Peace be still and know that I am God.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; And his truth endureth to all generations.
“As character is revealed by fruit, so faith is revealed by storms” Matthew 7:20 (ESV) Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Obviously, there are conditions. These marvelous promises assume that those who ask are abiding in His commandments, truly desiring His will, having His priorities, thinking His thoughts, and are asking in faith and in His name.
Jesus also warned that His followers should “beware of...the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:12). These groups operate in hypocrisy, legalism and overall skepticism of God’s Word. They distort true biblical faith.
Don’t criticize another without personally applying the same critical standards.
The road is hard because true discipleship calls for sacrifice and servant-hood.
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
You have been made free from the law of sin and death. You now have life in the Spirit. You have moved into a whole new sphere of life in Christ.
Be a beacon of truth—don’t shut off your light from the rest of the world.
Forgiveness is about freedom. Spiritual, emotional, and physical.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col. 4:2)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)
True worship is following God’s rules about approaching Him and pleasing Him in worship. Any worship, other than that from a “washed” heart, is vain. (2 Timothy 2:26; 1 John 2:15)
Society works from the aesthetics, from the outside in, but God says, I'm going to fix you from the inside out.
Someone has defined “tact” as “the knack of making a point without making an enemy,” and the Cushite had tact. AKA wisdom.
Success does NOT ruin the character of a person, it simply exposes the character he or she already had.
“Since God graciously honors even the weakest faith, how much more would He do if we totally trusted Him.” Mark 9:24 “….I believe; help my unbelief!”
David was a godly man and a gifted leader, but the best of men are but men at their best.
God’s servants need to be on guard at all times lest the enemy suddenly attack and conquer them. “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8
Men see what is given, but God sees what is left, and by that He measures the gift and the condition of our hearts. (Luke 6:38)
"And all the king's servants who were within the king's gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage." (Esther 3:2-3)
“God knows us and God builds us!” Psalm 139:2 (NLT) 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4
True worship must be about the Giver and not the gifts. (see Romans 1:25)
Sometimes bad things happen for good reasons. Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28.
Information is good, but transformation is best. (Rom. 12:1-2)
Revelation promises a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1)
Joy and rejoicing from born-again believers produce emotion (gladness, cheering, praise, singing, thanks, etc.), but the object of the emotion is always the source of our joy—the Lord Jesus our Savior, King, and Creator.
The Resurrection is not just important; it is “of first importance,” because all that we believe hinges on it. If He was not raised, there is no Gospel to preach.
We may not know until we get to heaven why God allowed certain things to happen. Meanwhile, we walk by faith and say with Job, “Blessed be the name of the Lord."
God’s Wrath is not for us. Revelation 6:15 - 17
“Will you be ready when Jesus comes?” 2 Peter 3:3 - 15
To God be the glory for the things HE has done!
The Laodiceans were an independent church that had need of nothing, but they were not abiding in Christ and drawing their power from Him.
The Laodicean church was independent, self-satisfied, and secure. “We have need of nothing!” But all the while, their spiritual power had been decaying; their material wealth and glowing statistics were but shrouds hiding a rotting corpse. Their Lord was outside the church, trying to get in (Rev. 3:20).
It is not the size or strength of a church that determines its standing, but the faithfulness to God’s command. (Rev. 3:8)
I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Revelation 3:8
“Again……what am I hearing in these messages, but I am NOT yet doing?” (which church most resembles you now) Rev. 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
What am I hearing in these messages but NOT yet doing?
Study the Word in small doses but live it daily and boldly. 2 Tim. 3:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
“The key to blessings from scripture: read, listen and obey!” Rev. 1:3
John 8:31 - 32 (KJV)
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Don't be passive, fight for abundance.
The woman admitted she was a sinner and gave evidence that she was a repentant sinner. If you check a harmony of the Gospels, you will discover that just before this event, Jesus had given the gracious invitation, “Come unto Me … and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28-30). Perhaps that was when the woman turned from her sin and trusted the Savior. Her tears, her humble attitude, and her expensive gift all spoke of a changed heart.
In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life. The life he gives right now is abundantly richer and fuller.
God gives vision to where we are going, not where we’ve been!
God is bigger than anything you are facing today or tomorrow.
GOD IS ABLE TO DO IT! God’s Word should interpret our experience, not the other way around.
Do not grow weary in doing good!
Loving God = Listening + Learning + Living. John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
“The real (revival) revolution will not be televised!”
Ezekiel 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
It is far more important to know God than to know about God! (Hosea 4:6a)
For believers, this is as bad as it gets! (Ps. 73:26)
High expectations can bring high manifestations! (Mark 10:51)
Remember, the Lord never leaves Himself without a witness and He never leaves or forsakes us!
The importance of the post-resurrection appearances cannot be overestimated. There is no eternal life for believers if Jesus is not risen. Without the post-resurrection appearances, many would not have believed, including some of the disciples. Without the resurrection there is no gospel message.
God sees who we are becoming, not just who we are right now.
Real forgiveness relieves and releases you and others!
In the far country, the prodigal learned the meaning of misery; but back home, he discovered the meaning of mercy.
Give with the right motives and watch God give more!
Sometimes God delivers us from our trials, and at other times He delivers us in our trials. (Daniel 3:16)
Remember Who God Is to You, Remember What God Does for You. (Job 1:20-22)
Throughout all the stress, persecution, and trials he experienced in his turbulent life, Paul experienced God’s comforting, strengthening presence. The apostle’s life was thus an amazing juxtaposition of affliction and comfort, a seeming paradox he expressed later in this letter.