Gratefulness is more than a temporary emotion; it's a heart posture towards God. When life throws us a curveball, it's easy to forget that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). But it's true just the same.

Let's give thanks when we see the positives and when we don't quite understand how it's working for our benefit, because we know we are to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We have a loving Father in Heaven that loves to give good gifts to his children. We can trust that even when we don't understand, He is in control and is working it out for us. What are you grateful for today?

Book reference: "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

When Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:24 that in order to be his disciples we must pick up our cross and follow him, he isn't describing a burden we must bear. He is simply asking us to think twice about our level of commitment to Him.

Are we willing to give up our self-centered desires and our own path in life? Are we willing to surrender absolutely every area of our life to God?

He reminds us in Matthew 16:25-26 that "whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

What are you willing to lose to follow Jesus? The reward is worth the price!

How many of you jump up and down and praise the Lord during a trial in your life? Not many of us do, but the Bible tells us that we should consider it joy whenever we face trials because the testing of our faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)

Storms may seem unexpected, but they serve a purpose in our spiritual growth. Instead of acting surprised, we should ask the Lord for the strength to get through and realize He is working it out for our good.

Heaven or Hell, it's just that simple. When you die you will go somewhere. Where are you going to end up? Why would you gamble with eternity? Accept the free gift of salvation today. Tomorrow might be too late.

Romans 10:9-10

"If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

Acts 4:12

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

John 14:6

"Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 3:16-18

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

To call someone "Lord" is to acknowledge their authority in your life. Are you leading your own life or is Jesus leading it? Are you standing on a firm foundation or a foundation that may look good, but quickly collapses when the storms come? If you woke up this morning, God is giving you a chance to get it right. Build your foundation on the rock of Jesus Christ today!

Luke 6:46-49

The Wise and Foolish Builders

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

James 1:22

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

It's God's heart's desire to make himself known to us. That's why He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins. This perfect sacrifice made a way for us to enter into His presence. He wants to spend eternity with us! He wants a relationship with us! Are you comfortable just having your salvation ticket punched or do you want to enter into real joy, real peace, and real love?

Scripture

Matthew 16:24-25 "Then Jesus said to HIs disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword"

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

How many people know EVERYTHING about you? Not just the polished presentable you, but the ugly dirty mess you try to keep hidden even from yourself. God sees it all, and yet, despite everything, He still chooses to love you with an unconditional love. In today's episode, Amanda talks about being fully known and fully loved by God. He's not more loving on one day and less on another. He loves us the same on our very best and very worst days. God's love is not conditional and there is nothing you can keep hidden from Him. Come to Him, just as you are today, and watch as His perfect love casts out all fear and enables you to live a victorious life.

Scripture:

Why is prayer important? How does prayer draw us closer to God? How does God answer our prayers? In this episode, Amanda and Susan discuss these questions many of us wonder about and how prayer plays a key role in their own lives. An active prayer life is the foundation for closeness with God; it is the key that unlocks the gates of heaven on earth.  Because God cares for us, he longs to be included in every detail of our lives, small and large. Prayer is God’s invitation to us to partner with Him so that His will is done on earth and His glory will be made known! The Lord is searching the earth for someone who is willing to talk to him and partner with him; someone who knows Him, fears Him, and obeys Him. How will you partner with God today in your life?

Scripture:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8

“I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be my people.” Leviticus 26:12

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6

Today’s special guest is Pastor Daphne Lewis. Pastor Daphne is a woman of deep, abiding faith and trust in the Lord. On today’s episode, she takes us back to the beginnings of her personal relationship with the Lord and shares how her love and trust in God deepened and grew over time, most often through trials and difficulties. Growing up in the church and having a grandmother who was strong in her faith helped to lay the foundation for who God was for Pastor Daphne. Yet, as a teenager found she had strayed from living a life that honored the Lord. She had her first of 6 children at the age of 15 as an unwed mother, faced rejection and criticism from within her church family, and found herself living alone with her children in the projects. Pastor Daphne shares how the Lord repeatedly showed up for her during her lowest and darkest times; her “Red Sea Moments” where only God could make the way. Her relationship with the Lord grew from one of friendship to one of total surrender to God. She was willing to die to self and what she wanted so that God’s will concerning her life could be done. Today she is a woman of radical faith who trusts the Lord to guide her every step! 

“Untested faith may be a true faith, but it is sure to be a small faith-and it is likely to remain stunted as long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers as much as when all things are against it.” -Charles Spurgeon (Morning and Evening Devotional)

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” -Hebrews 11:1

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” -Galatians 5:24

“Surrender yourself to the LORD, and wait patiently for him.” -Psalm 37:7

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” -Proverbs 3:6

“So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” -1 Peter 1:7

What's To Come Ministry, 4800 N. Bailey Bridge Rd. Midlothian, VA 23112

The Thief of Comparison

On this episode of Opened Eyes, Amanda and Susan discuss the traps of comparison. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”  When we focus on comparing our spiritual gifts, faith, and lives to others, we take our eyes off of God’s value, plan, and purpose for our own lives. The traps of comparison can lead to:  1. Inferiority:  “Since I am not like you, I have no value.” 2. Superiority: “I have more value than you and I’m doing enough for God.” Either trap keeps us from fully living the abundant lives that God has for each one of us. We can be confident that when we are faithful where we are (like Joseph in the book of Genesis), God is sure to raise us up in due time, using our own unique stories for His glory!

Scripture:

“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves.  But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” 2 Corinthians 10:12

“Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others.” Galatians 6:4-5

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned long ago.” Ephesians 2:10