Life can be challenging, to say the least. For some, if not most of us, it's like a roller coaster ride, going up and down, spinning and turning, and flipping in and out... We just want the ride to end already. Yes, if we allow it, life can cause us to want to end our lives because of the many vicissitudes of life. But ending our lives is not the answer; the answer is found in Christ Jesus.

The Bible says, thanks be to God, which causes us to triumph in Christ... That means, in all things, at all times, we are triumphant in Christ. In marriage, in academia, in friendships, in ministry, in the workplace, in school, and in all things, We are triumphant in Christ. The Scripture didn't say we triumph because of our education, our connections, who we know, or even the fact that we are god-fearing, but it says in Christ, which means having a relationship with Christ as Lord and Savior.

In Christ, it is from victory to victory, and we live in the constant place of triumph. He causes us then to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere because of our triumph in him.

In other words, as believers in Christ, we are to be triumphant. Christ always causes us to triumph so that the good news is shared with others everywhere we go.

Let us remember that we are not defeated, and we are not hopeless, for in Christ, we are always victorious and triumphant.

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In the process of choosing the next king of Israel after God had rejected Saul as king, Samuel the prophet went to Jesse's house as directed by the Lord to anoint the next king. Eliab one of Jesse's sons came to Samuel, but upon his appearance, Samuel said indeed the Lord's anointed stands before the Lord (1 Samuel 16:6). In other words, Samuel thought this was the next king because of how he looked. But God responded quickly and said do not look at his height or appearance, Samuel, that does not impress me, that impress man, but what impresses me is the heart posture.

A Heart posture towards God is a heart that Seeks God, Wants God, Spends Time with God, and Loves God. God says to Samuel I have rejected Eliab; why? Because Eliab rejected God. How did he reject God? His heart posture was not toward God.

We need a heart that is postured towards God. David's heart was postured towards God, and that is why he was chosen. We must desire this heart posture toward God, seeking him, spending time with Him, wanting him, and loving Him. God knows and sees our hearts, that is what He is looking at to see if we deserve the crown or not.

God is looking at the heart. Is your heart postured towards Him?

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There are times when we are reluctant to do something because there are no benefits or rewards attached to it. We usually say, "What's in it for me?"

God knows us, and the reason why he knows us is because he made us. The Bible says, "All things were made by Him" (John 1:3); that includes us, so he knew that we would need rewards or benefits for some things, so he ensured that when we seek Him, benefits and rewards are attached to it.

In our text, the scriptures give us a few benefits for seeking God.

1. Direction

When we get into the presence of God or prioritize His presence, he rewards us, and one of those rewards or benefit is that he gives us direction for our lives. He shows us the paths of life where we are supposed to go.

The Bible says, " The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Psalm 37:23), which only happens when we remain in his presence. I need him to direct me and navigate my life in these murky and muddy days that we are facing.

2. Joy

There is joy in seeking God. As a matter of fact, when we prioritize God and his presence, there is a joy that we cannot explain that we experience and walk in. The joy of the Lord gives us strength. Have you ever noticed that when you are joyful you are stronger, but when you have no joy, then you are weak, and everything irritates you? Get into his presence and experience real joy.

3. Pleasures Forevermore

Pleasures for evermore are being satisfied, having joy, and happiness; the world wants us to think that pleasures are found in partying and clubbing, adding to that drinking and other things.

But the aftermath of that moment, and it's only for a moment...what they call pleasures is hangover, regret, and depression. God's Presence gives us pleasure and lasting pleasures forevermore.

Family, let's get back to what matters in our lives: the presence of God.

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In the presence of God, there's fullness of joy. We have access to the King of kings and Lord of Lords. However, we need to prioritize His presence. We must spend time with God to know God and to know his will for us, and if that's not enough, that's where our joy is, and it's not based on what happens but on who God is...so it is fullness of joy.

If we were invited to see Queen Elizabeth II, we would prioritize it more than anything, I certainly would... but a greater than the Queen is here, and we lack the priority. Here's the thing: we need no invitation to His presence; all are welcome. Jesus says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." In other words, that's what we will prioritize, what we treasure.

Matthew 6:21 NIV

Here's the question...Do you treasure God?... then why in the world would you not want to spend time with Him? Here's the norm of what the devil has done, and it is successful in our world and has been successful with Christians as well...We spend hours on social media, watching TV, or using our phones. Hours!!!

That's where we spend our time and what the enemy wants because we become weak, ineffective, and powerless. The devil laughs and celebrates every day because most of our time is spent not in the presence of God but on social media and watching TV, binge-watching at that, or on our phones.

Family, the enemy is playing to win, and he has devised a plan to distract us from the presence of God; if we are not careful, we will leave God altogether and not know it.

If we love God, his presence should be our priority, and spending time with him should be our greatest pursuit. It's time to prioritize God in our lives again.

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Listening is fine, and it is good to listen, but after we listen, we must get up and do what we were told. The Word of God is alive, it is powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, and it is God's truth for us to live out our everyday life (Heb. 4:12). Many can listen to the Word, but what they do with the Word is how the Word is activated in their lives.

Therefore, we can listen to the Word without doing it, deceive ourselves, or fool ourselves and then say that the Bible doesn't work and is not true. That's a lie, if we do not work the Word, the Word does not work, so we must do the Word in order for the Word to work. James is saying here, stop fooling yourself, stop lying to yourself, and stop making up excuses. If you work the Word, it will work for you. We refuse to study, and then when the time comes for us to demonstrate the Word and live out the Word, we have no Word because we refuse to do what the Word says to do.

Family, let us become doers of the Word and not hearers only so that we can enjoy the promises and blessings of almighty God.

Do not Deceive Yourself, Do What the Word of God says, and become a Doer of the Word.

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Power is what everyone wants. To have power is to be able to speak, and people move to what you spoke, and they must comply because you've got the power to do something if they do not respond. Most of the people with power in our world are those with money. Money can make a person powerful. The President has power over what he says or decrees. He signs things into law, and it is so.

Power can bring about change for good or for bad.

But there is another power that is above money, government, and rulers of nations; it is the power that God, through Jesus Christ, has given us. We have Power over Spirits, and in the spirit realm, there is no government, money, or anyone that has such power or can give such power except God. I have the power to speak to the principalities and powers, and the Bible says, nothing shall by any means hurt me. Think about it. We are powerful people. We are not subject to the enemy but have the upper hand against what he's trying to do in our lives and families.

This is the power that was given to us. The power that Jesus received from his Father was given to us. We have Power. Exercise your power this morning. Decree and declare I have power over everything that's trying to destroy my future, my purpose, my health, my family...I speak healing in my body, deliverance over my children...in the name of Jesus.

We are guaranteed victory because the demons are subject to the name and power of Jesus Christ. You’ve Got Power.

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It is quite interesting to me how we want so many things in life, particularly from the Lord, without expecting to do anything to get those things that we want. We want to be healed but don't eat right; we want a better position in our jobs but refuse to go back to school. We would like to have a better house or living space but refuse to budget; we want to get married but lack responsibility; we want to be a preacher/teacher but refuse to study the Word.

You've got to Do Something.

Many times we think that if we are saved, and are living for God things will fall into place. There is, however, something required of us. In our text, Jesus and his disciples came into Jericho where a blind Bartimaeus was, Jesus was passing by not stopping to heal or anything like that, he was leaving town and the blind man heard of Jesus passing by. He knew that he had to Do Something, and because he was blind; he wanted healing but not being able to see he decided that he was going to shout and call upon Jesus.

Stop waiting on God to do everything, we must participate in our deliverance and Do Something to bring about God's attention to the situation so that he can provide the solution. Blind Bartimaeus activated his faith and his works and got his healing. He did something to get Jesus's attention. What is it that you've been crying about and carrying for years? Today the Lord says Do Something, and I'll do the rest. In other words, participate in your deliverance.

Do Something.

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When we seek God First, when we put him first, God adds to us.

The Bible says, "... And all these things will be given to you..."

What is it that you need from God today? Is it health, prosperity, a job, purpose, an opportunity to be a blessing... Then, the key is to seek Him First. God adds to us when He's first. Paul says for my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus... (Phil. 4:19).

Putting God First means that you depend on God for all you need and desire. There are some promises in the Word of God for us, and until we put Him First, those promises remain promises. When we put God First, He goes to work on our behalf... And he rebukes the devourer for our sakes. Scripture is clear that we must put God First in our tithes and offerings, and when we do this, he says he will rebuke the devourer for our sake...

In other words, we come into alignment with God's promises for us when we put Him first. He goes to war for us, works for us, and delivers on his promises. God wants to add to us blessings and bring His promises to fruition in our lives. Family, put Him First, and watch God go to work on your behalf and add healing, deliverance, provision, and protection to you. God Bless you.

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First is unique and important, and First gets all the attention.

Being first in anything gives us a feeling of importance, and we get all the attention and praise. I am intrigued by First because Jesus says, "Seek First..." He is shifting our thinking from ourselves and placing it on what matters Him.

God must be First in our lives... Before our desires, our requests, our children, our jobs, our marriages, our cars, it's God First. When we seek God First, we prioritize God and his plans for us, we give Him our attention, and he allows and causes all the things we put Him first to work in our lives for good. More than anything, family, we must seek God First.

Jesus also says, "No one can serve two masters, either you will love one and hate the other..." (Mat. 6:24). Again, Jesus is shifting perspectives and letting us know that he comes First and he stands in that place of First, we cannot mix him with anyone or anything else. God Comes First, more than anything, Lord, we seek you First. Put God First in everything you do, commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. If he's First, he causes everything else in our lives to work.

Family, let's put God first and allow him to reign and rule in our lives. When God is First, it guarantees all others things to work together for our good.

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This Storm Won’t Last Forever

I encourage you to see better in your storm. It is not going to kill you… It is going to build you Better. You may be struggling and pressed out in the Storm, but All Things work for your good… The Bible says, “All things God works for the good and those who love him to those called according to his Purpose.

There is Purpose In Your Storm! I want you to know that you are coming out Better!

Don’t Quit in the Storm, But rest assured that something great is coming out of this Storm… It won’t last forever.

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