​"For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the desert comes exaltation.

But God is the Judge; He puts down one and lifts up another."         
                 (Psalm 75:6-7)

​Be courageous enough to tell the truth (always), even to the point of embarrassment, God will see it, and settle the matter in your favor.

It's not just what we say, that can be dishonest or misleading,

but what we (withhold) and do not say, can be just as deceptive, so, work at being a champion at both 

"God guards knowledge with a passion, but he’ll have nothing to do with deception."
                   (Proverbs 22:12)

​When the Lord gives you an assignment or position, high or low, whatever it is, (wherever) it is.......Work it!


Work it better than anyone else, be Diligent.

And you will soon discover, you can't surprise God, but watch God surprise you!

"Seest thou a man (diligent) in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." 
                (Proverbs 22:29)

​As far as others you have found yourself in conflict with...

Do not make a battle ground from what the Lord prepared as a forgiving, love and mercy ground. Such people are only fighting themselves. 

Instead, use (wisdom) and walk in humility.

 "And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?

Micah 6:8

​At some point, we all make mistakes, we all fail, keep this in mind when others do.

 "Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they (stumble), do not let your (heart) rejoice,

or the Lord will (see) and disapprove and (turn) his wrath (away) from them." [Proverbs 24:18]

Sometimes the very Best gifts are not wrapped at all - and not seen, the gifts of Mercy, Grace and Forgiveness.

​ "Do (not) take (revenge), my dear friends, but leave (room) for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

On the (contrary):“ If your enemy is (hungry), feed him; if he is (thirsty), give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Romans 12:19-21

​Take your BURDENS to the Lord and leave them there!

When waiting on the Lord to act, don't watch the clock,  watch what happens.

"Therefore the Lord waits to be (gracious) to (you) ,and therefore he exalts himself to show (mercy) to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who (wait) for him."

Isaiah 30:18

​“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there (remember) that your brother or sister has something against (you), leave your gift there in front of the altar. First (go) and be (reconciled) to them; then (come) and offer your gift."

              Matthew 5:23-24 

An unforseen argument can break out (erupt) in an instant.

 If you're not (on your guard) something (unexpected) can arise and divide you, a friend, a best friend, even a (family).

Relationships that have been built on 20+ years can be destroyed in a minute if your not careful. 

Some of you are going through this now. Holding back and fighting that small still voice (the Holy Spirit) telling you to humble yourself and reach out to someone you (know) you have been resisting. 

So, carefully watch (be on your guard) what you allow to emotionally effect you, when someone hurts you, especially verbally. 

"Every Kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. And a family1 that fights against itself will break apart."

Luke 11:17

​If you only knew the Blessings God has waiting for you TODAY...

You would have been (Smiling) when you woke up,

(Joyful) brushing your teeth 

(Singing) in your shower, 

and (Dancing) to your car.

One of my friends said, but Sean, it's Monday.

 I asked if they believed in Jesus? If they believed he walked the earth doing ministry? They replied "Of course I believe this." I responded, "Jesus did Mondays too."

"Now to him who is able to do (immeasurably) (more) than all we (ask) or (imagine), according to his power that is at work within us," - Ephesians 3:20 

​"Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak (rashly) will come to ruin." - Proverbs 13:3 

A very wise man once said............nothing!

You don't (have) to respond to everything right away, especially if your already stressed out, and it won't come out kind.

Sometimes, It is wiser not to respond at all, say thank you - or (no thank you) and simply walk away. 

Or simply say "Let me get back to you on that." And if it's a text, the same applies.


"When there are (many) words, transgressing and offense or unavoidable,"

Proverbs 10:19

​The COST of a 'Joke'

Everyone likes a good laugh or two but, never tell a joke, or laugh at, or make fun of (anyone), at the expense of hurting another.

Whether they are (present) or not, the (damage) is still the same. 

And when it comes to foul and abusive words, a very wise man once said...

"When we curse, we've lowered ourselves and lost the intelligent means to communicate - in it's simplest and purest form."

(Ephesians) 5:4 says...

"Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or course Jesting - all of which are out of character - but rather thanksgiving."

​THE MASTERPIECE 

The Lord your God, has the (original) picture of your future blessings, you may not (see) in the physical (immediately), but are just as REAL as He is.


Satan however, will (paint) a false picture of your so called future failures, that you can see in the physical and (appear) to be real, but are just as (FAKE) as he is.

 The question is..... which one are you going to believe?



"For I know the (plans) I have for you” —this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a (future) and a (hope).

You will (call) to me and come and (pray) to me, and I will (listen) to you.

You will seek me and (find) me when you (search) for me with (all) your heart."

 Jeremiah 29:11-13

​Whenever you see TGIF, we all know that means Friday is coming.

But would you be willing to make today a N.O.N.W day?

Not One Negative Word about (anyone) Day? 

Would you be willing?

"Set a (guard), O Lord, (over) my mouth; 

Keep watch over the (door) of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly]. 

 Psalm 141:3 AMP

​While speaking to my mom on Mother's Day, she told me that our Uncle John told her to pray over us at the 7th hour, every day as kids.

Well, my little sister Visa must have took that to heart because my mom said Visa would pray longer than all the rest of us.

 Mom, said my lil sister would pray for everything, the animals, the grasshoppers, everybody and everything.

Mom said Visa would pray for a dog mom would not let her have, but my lill sister managed to sneak it in our house anyway.

Mom said Visa would pray so long, mom said she would fall asleep while visa was praying and wake up and Visa would still be praying.

But, you know what my Mother also said?

 "She said Sean, today, your little sister is a Prayer Warrior."

When it comes to your prayers, be it long or short, get it to the Lord

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." -

 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

​One afternoon, I ran into a homeless man who said he was hungry. 

He pointed to an expensive restaurant I was very well known. 

As he entered the double doors and approached the counter, the waitress looked down on him as to say "What do you think you're doing here? You know you can't afford to eat here!

 Then I walked in and stood (behind) him. 

The staff immediately greeted me, "Mr Johnson is here! Quick, prepare a special table."  I replied, "No please, not today thank you."

 "I want you to treat my friend here the exact same way you treat me and give him whatever he asks. They said, "you want us to treat this man just like you Mr Johnson?  Yes please."

They prepared the very best table, and began speaking to him with kindness. People were whispering, "why is this homeless man being treated so special? How did he even get in here? 

As he feasted, and as I stood over him to protect him, nothing in the physical had changed. His pockets were still empty. He was still homeless. But now, he had my wealth. Whatever I had, was now his!

Having Jesus in your heart and placing Him at the (forefront) of your life, the fruit, is a little something like this.

"And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every (need) according to (his) riches and (glory) in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:19.

​prayer -
A solemn request for help or (expression) of (thanks) addressed to God in worship, praying in the spirit and in truth, in expectation of receiving.

Some of you have spent more time on the (phone) with friends or family, talking about our problems, than actually going in prayer to the only ONE, that can actually save you.

"This is the (confidence) we have in approaching God: 

that if we ask (anything) according to his (will), he hears us.

And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we (have) what we asked of him." - 1 John 5:14-15

"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
​
Zeph.3.17 NIV

​"Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are (all) the (work) of your (hand)."

                 Isaiah 64.8

Did you know The 
'Messiah Antonio Stradivari'-
is the finest violin in the world?

It costs about $20 million....

And what exactly makes it the finest violin? The maker!

How much (more) are you worth to the Lord.

This is what the Lord says:

"I will come to you and fulfill my good promise... For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29

​I asked.....

I asked for mercy, and God gave me enemies to forgive,

I asked for 'strength' and God gave me difficulties to make me strong, 

I asked for 'wisdom' and God gave me problems to solve,

I asked for 'courage' and God gave me dangers to overcome,

 I asked for 'Love' and God gave me troubled people to help....

my prayers were answered!

​Throw kindness around as if it were confetti...

A truly sincere smile does not always begin with a feeling, it starts with an attitude of gratitude.

"On your feet now—Bring a (gift) of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence."
             Psalm 100:2

​It actually takes much more strength to be kind, than it ever will - to be cruel and vengeful 

You can't put an age on Pain,

So, be compassionate when others don't heal as fast as you would.

"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, (encourage) the (disheartened), help the weak, be (patient) with everyone. 
always strive to do what is good for each other and for (everyone) else.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Love is more Powerful than vengeance and compassion is much more Powerful than hate...

​When waiting on the Lord to act, don't watch the clock,  watch what happens.


"Therefore the Lord waits to be (gracious) to (you) ,and therefore he exalts himself to show (mercy) to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who (wait) for him." Isaiah 30:18

10) Speak by the FAITH you live by, because (eventually), you're going to have to Live by the very FAITH you've been speaking.


For most, (giving) the Lord Jesus our problems is not the issue, it's (leaving) them in His hands....... that's the challenge! So, what's the solution?

                    'Persistency'

"And (without) faith it is impossible to (please) God, because anyone who (comes) to him must (believe) that he exists and that he (rewards) those who (earnestly seek) him.". Heb.11.6

REJUVENATE
REFRESH
RENEW

Working hard is great and the Lord makes it very clear that hard work (diligent) hands are rewarded. However, there are times when you will need to rest, in order to be most productive, at your best and thinking clearly.

When your body tells you, you need more rest or a little time off, take it. And when you take it, (ignore) that voice that says you should feel guilty.

Elijah - "He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down (again).

The angel of the Lord came back a (second) time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”

So he got up and ate and drank. (Strengthened) by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights,
1 Kings 19:5-8

Hindered Prayers...

Sin does NOT have an Expiration Date, it is forgiven (through confession and repentance), but it does not expire or just go away.

I purchased a brand new water hose to wash my car. As I turned the water on 💦 it just drizzled out and went straight to the ground. As I took a (closer) look, my tire was partially on my hose, after moving my car, the water was still (weak) and being (hindered).

I then noticed there were a few knots in my new hose, after taking care of these (issues), my hose worked (Powerful) and (Strong).

Before or (while) you pray, it helps to do a personal (assessment), ask the Lord if there is anything in your life you have not dealt with, Because God cannot dwell with sin, even if you say it's a (small) sin or "But Sean, that was such a long time ago."

Many have gone through a trial or test that was only meant to last a few weeks or months, but because they were not willing to deal with the sin in (their) life, it lasted much longer and their prayers were hindered.

Nothing is hidden from the Lord's site, but the blessing of the obedient will shine (through) anything!

"...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not (return) to me (empty), but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I (sent) it." Isaiah 55:11

"A good (reputation) is better than (much) wealth; high esteem is better than silver and gold." Proverbs 22:1

With this in mind, be very careful to ensure you backup the (verbal) checks your mouth has written. The Lord takes vows and promises very, very seriously.

"When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because he does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it."

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 CSB