So, my dear Christian friends, companion in following this call to the heights…take a good look at Jesus. He’s the Centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do.  Moses was also faithful, but Jesus gets far more honor.  A builder is more valuable than a building any day.  Every house has a builder, but the Builder behind them all is God.  Moses did a good job in God’s house, but it was all servant work, getting things ready for what was to come.  Christ as Son is in charge of the house.  (Hebrews 3: 1-6)

Beloved, these scriptures truly resonated with me, because we say that we are Christian (Christ-like), we say we are god-fearing, and that Christ Jesus is the head of our life; and all this and more is exactly what our thinking should be. But how many of us have had a hard time holding on to our confession, when the testing comes?  How many of us realized that before God can entrust us with His plan for our lives (his purpose), we would have to show ourselves approved before God.   We will have to endure hardship as a faithful soldier of God’s Army.  Think it not strange when you find yourself going through a wilderness testing. The Word says if we can only keep a firm grip on this bold confidence (that Christ as Son is in charge of the house). (Hebrews 3:6)

Beloved, we are the houses!  That is why the Holy Spirit says; today; please don’t turn a deaf ear as in “The bitter uprising,” that time of wilderness testing. (Hebrews 3:7).  The Word says to take a good look at Jesus.  What does the bible tell us about Christ during those 30 years prior to His ministry. In Luke1: 80; 2:52 it says, “And the little boy grew and became strong in spirit; and he was in the deserts (wilderness) until the day of his appearing to Israel {the commencement of his public ministry}. And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man.  Therefore beloved, if it took Jesus 30 years to prepared for His 3 years ministry; we must get out of the instant society mindset, that is, God will instantly grant us our ministry, without doing it his way, “without preparation”.

Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.  {Therefore beware} brethren, take, care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart {which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him}, leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God.  But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened {into settled rebellion} by the deceitfulness of sin {by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamour of his sin may play on him}.

Therefore, Beloved, humble yourself “under the might hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you.”

Scriptures References: Heb3:12, IPeter 5:6

Sister Betty, in Christ, the Centerpiece of my faith.

It’s fascinating.

 On one end you have the single person who spends all their time attempting to reach this ideal state of perfection in hopes that the “perfection” itself will position them to receive the spouse of their dreams. Then on the other end we see the single that has the “take-me-as-I-am-or-have-nothing-at-all” perspective and is often unwilling to change to be better for their future spouse. So, in assessing the varying perspectives I asked God, “Whose way of thinking is right?” In seeking clarity, I gathered this conclusion:

 The answer is c) None of the above (smile).

Understand, both of the aforementioned types fail because both tend to miss the mark in their approach.  In short: Right actions. Wrong motives.

See, people are racing to get themselves together and the truth of the matter is none of us could even save ourselves, let alone transform ourselves. It’s like I always say, people can’t change people, God does. Think about it, if we could change ourselves what would we need Jesus for? Really, that’s what the power of The Cross is all about. Transfiguration!

Now, is this to say I believe everyone should stop striving to be better? Absolutely not! No, in fact, in my life I press daily to become not just a greater woman, but a greater vessel. And I can’t speak for anyone else but I plan on bringing sexy back AND adding a whole new meaning to the phrase “A Good Thing” LOL! And let the church say, “Ahhhmen!” LOL! Ok, I’m only halfway joking but my point is this (smile):

If you’re going to work toward being perfected, let GOD be your motivating factor, not man! Trust, changing for fickle folk who don’t know who they are, nor what they want will only leave you frustrated.

Plus, God’s perfection is not even defined as our version perfection. In fact perfect in the Bible doesn’t even mean perfect, it means mature. And did you know that everyday God is uniting people to their “Ones” void of what we perceive as the “perfect conditions?” There are folk with credit problems getting married. There are people still busy on the grind yet managing to find time to discover their spouses. And there are even folk with terminal illnesses finding love and enjoying it for as long as God grants them time on earth to share it. Now, imagine that. God uniting imperfect people, in un-ideal circumstances to serve as a perfect example of what can happen if we enact His Will over ours. Wow…it would appear that God has some insight that we don’t.  How ‘bout that (smile).

And here’s the silver lining in it all, when you allow God to change you, not only does it realign your focus to Him, but by default, you’ll become a better spouse for your future mate anyway. Only then can you truly receive nothing less than HIS best for your life. And trust. When God does a thing, He does it well.

So, today I share these words simply as an encouragement and an exhortation. Continue to allow God to make you better. Whether physically, spiritually, financially or anything in between. Strive to be great in every area BUT not for people. No, if you’re going to do it, do it for God. Yeah. Do it because you love Him that much. And then watch as, at HIS appointed time, He opens your heart that you might share your love with who He’s purposed for your life. And it is so.

So, relax.

Flow with God.

Keep growing.

 Blessings

There is a lasting peace for those who love your teachings.  Nothing can make those people stumble {offended} Psalm 119:165

The politician has slandered me unmercifully, but my awe at Your words keeps me stable.   I’m ecstatic over what You say, Like one who strikes it rich.  I hate lies-can’t stand them! But I love what You have revealed.

Seven times each day I stop and shout praises for the way You keep everything running right.  For those who love what You reveal, everything fits-no stumbling around in the dark for them.  I wait expectantly for Your salvation; God, I do what You tell me.  My soul guards and keeps all Your instructions- oh, how much I love them! I follow Your directions; abide by Your counsel;  My life’s an open book before You. Psalm 119:161-168

 Beloved, the Psalmist, King David, has given {revealed} to us, the righteous and holy response, to prevent our haters in this world, from using offenses as bait to stop us from following God’s instructions and abiding by His counsel.  For those that love this present world has great vexation {trouble, affliction, and annoyances}, because the world does not answer what they expect.

According to God’s Word:

So, this is my prayer: “that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well.  Learn to love appropriately.  You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush.  Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.”   That way, you will be able to determine what is best, and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ (return).”

 Scripture References: Philippians 1:9-11 

Sister Betty, The Lord’s Handmaiden

If you read the scripture text above, I’m sure you read what I read. The writer was speaking to the Romans about destiny amongst other things.

 In essence he’s reminding the people that not only did God know us before we were ever birthed, but He PRE-destined us that we might ultimately, conform to the imagine of Christ and subsequently, bring Him glory. I share this scripture with you tonight as a form of encouragement. I think too often we get so caught up in looking at who we are and our own abilities that we forget that little factor called destiny (smile). And the above scripture reminds us that before we ever came to be, God had ALREADY predetermined some things about us.

Now isn’t that good news? It should be! Think about it, God knew every single place we’d ever fall short, yet STILL ascribed greatness to our lives. In other words, He already knew you’d feel ill-equipped but He gave you the vision anyway. He already saw that you’d record that album yet have to grind to find a distribution deal, yet He told you to do it anyway. And long before you could ever even string together a proper sentence, He knew that He would send you out to declare His Word to the nations! So, here’s the thing, if God knows this about us, what’s stopping us from grasping this fact? Exactly. NOTHING! So, to you on the cusp of greatness, be encouraged!

Don’t let what it looks like detour you from what He has ALREADY declared it to be. Remember, God’s PRE-determined plan is that you might live out your destiny. Yeah, it’s just like Jeremiah said (29:11). God wants to give us hope and a future and good success. He wants us to manifest destiny. And this is the season where your obedience and diligence will bring forth the manifestation of a future that ALREADY is.

 This is your moment church!

What will you do with it?

Let’s GO!

Nikki Washington

Let no foul or polluting language nor evil unwholesome or worthless talk {ever} come out of your mouth, but only such {speech} is as good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. 

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God {do not offend or vex or sadden Him}, by Whom you sealed {marked, branded as God’s own, secures} for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).

Let all bitter and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). Ephesians 4:29-31

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Many Christians would not be caught using profanity.  But how many of us know that complaining is a sin.  Say help me Lord, you too?  Well it is, complaining opens many doors for the enemy to enter in (read Job 7:11, 10:1-7, 40: 1-5).   Words are container of  Power (Matthews 21:21) ; therefore complaining and grumbling words carry corruptible power. Ephesians 4: 29 says, “Let not corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification (building up) that it may impact grace to the hearers.

Beloved, when we complain about our situations, it hinders God from releasing His blessings upon us and others whom we corrupt with our disobedience and we don’t get the deliverance from our circumstances that God had prepared for us, therefore we remain in our situation. 

Beloved, know that God desires to touch our mouths and have us for His mouthpiece.  All of us at some point have to come to the realization that without God’s cleaning power, we all are people of unclean lips. I believe Isaiah says it best in( Isaiah 6: 5a), ” woe is me, for I am undone!  because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” 

 What should we do when we find ourselves complaining about our unfavorable circumstances?  May I be humble and say, Let us praise ourselves out of our situations.  I will be sharing more about this subject in my next blog.

Sister Betty In Him, For if it was not for His New Mercy Every Morning, I ….

I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up and not let my foes rejoice over me. 

 O Lord my God, I cried to You and you have healed me. 

   O Lord, You have brought my life up for Sheol (the place of the dead); You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit (the grave).

Sing to the Lord, O you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrances of His holy name.

For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life.  Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (II Cor: 4:17).  Psalm 30:1-5

God responds in a very powerful way to deliver us when we give Him praises (expressed in words to honor Him), in the midst of difficulties, He is faithful to raise us out of  them all.   Psalms 149: 5-7(a) says, “Let the Saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.  Let the high praises of  God be in their mouths.

There is no justification for complaining, once you come into the knowledge and understanding of whose you are and who you are.   Beloved, know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. God is more than able to take care of His children and He is faithful and knows how to deliver us.

 You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

What then shall we say to {all} this? If God is for us, who {can be} against us?  {Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?} {PS. 118:6.}.  He WHO did not withhold or spare {even} His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all {other} things?

Sister Betty, In Him, who love God and are called  according to His design and purpose.

Scriptures References: Psalm 100:3, 1 peter 2:9, Psalm 46:1-2, Romans 8: 31-32

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.  (Hebrews 13:4)

This blog below was written by my Pastor’s wife, First Lady June Robertson, in response to a brother’s question, concerning living with his girlfriend.  In the old days, we use to call it “shacking”.

 Beloved, I asked Sister Robertson’s permission to share this information with the Body of Christ, in particular because I am aware that this type of teaching is needed in the church. I am hopeful that perhaps many will avoid the pain, shame, and consequences that sexual immorality and immoral lifestyles cause.  For truly, it causes many in the Body of Christ to fall short of the blessings that God has designed for them.

 Beloved, I pray to God that many will be encouraged to make the right choice of abstinence until marriage, and save themselves of the shame and pain, compromise that one feels when they commit sin against one’s own body.  I pray that you will apply the word and wait on the Lord.  Beloved, know that God feels you are worth waiting on the husband or wife that He has on his heart for his beloved daughters and sons.  Wait I say on the Lord, and He will give you the desire of your heart.

 Sister Betty, In Christ, The Plan He Has For Me is Win, Win.

 My Fiancé and I live together and are expecting to get married sometime in the near future. We did not start out to live together but she did not have stable housing and we were both incurring living expenses (bills). She began just staying with me for a time but now has moved into my home. I do want to do what’s right in the sight of the Lord but feel like this is the best situation and that what we are doing is not wrong. We are both believers and attend church regularly. Do you think that this is wrong?

 blessed

Dear Blessed,

The Word bless in the Bible is translated from the Hebrew word Barak which means Empowered to prosper, anointed, sacred, set apart, consecrated and abundant.

Your lifestyle however suggests that you are falling short of the blessing that God has designed for you. In the Bible we are told that marriage is sacred and honorable. “Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous. (Hebrews 13:4 Amplified)

Countless of us have good intentions and end up in a bad situation. So many of the people in the Bible days such as king David didn’t start out to do wrong but found themselves in an uncomfortable place. The bible also says “There’s more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, “The two become one.” Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us lonelier than ever—the kind of sex that can never “become one.” There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for “becoming one” with another. Or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please; squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body… (1st cor. 6:18). My friend even if you are not intimate (fornicating) the bible says that we should not let our good be evil spoken of. This is to say if people may think that we are living in sin it diminishes our ability to witness to them. It shines a negative light on Christ especially for non believers. You must correct this situation and stop shacking. You cannot live together. There is no blessing in that. Your bills may get paid but you cannot receive a blessing on your relationship. You are making soul ties friend that are not easily broken. Too many times we delay God’s promise. We delay His favor because of our limited thinking. God has good plans for you, plans to prosper you and to bring you to an expected end!

The Ripple Effect

Each choice we make causes a ripple effect in our lives. When things happen to us, it is the reaction we choose that can create the difference between the

Sorrows of our past

And the joy in our future

Confirm the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)

Beloved, even as children of the Almighty God, the Bible teaches us that in this present world, we will and should expect to endure trials and tribulations, hardships, afflictions; but Jesus said we are to be of good courage because He has overcome the cares of this world for us.  The Apostle Paul writes that we are to count these things as light afflictions; when the cross comes into our view and we are to  consider the Christ, which is our hope of Glory! (II Cor. 4:17).

More over, Beloved {let us also be full of joy now!} let us exault and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings. Knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produces patient and unswerving endurance.

And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity),  And character {of this sort} produces {the habit of} joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shame us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  Who has been given to us.

Beloved, even in the midst of our suffering we are over-comers in Christ Jesus.   We are asked in the scriptures, ” who shall separate us from Christ’s love?  Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation?   Or calamity and distress?  Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?  Inspite of all these things beloved,  yet the word teaches us that we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us.

Beloved, it is during great tribulation that our attitude should be that of dependency on God, trusting Him completely, surrendered  to Him in totally loyalty, for after all, it is He who made us, and not us ourselves.  We belong to Him, he said we are the sheep of His pasture.  I just know that God is more than able to take care of His children, ad I know  that He will do it.

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (I am sure of it) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height or depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen!

References Acts 14:22, Roman5:3-5, Roman 8:35, 37-39

Sister Betty, In Him, I am more than a conqueror.

Father God, please circumcise our hearts and teach us how to love you more, just like your angels in heaven, with all our heart, strength, soul, and our being.  Father, grant us the confidence in you, to have faith that you accept us with all our imperfections as you continue to work on conforming  us into the likeness of your Son, Jesus, our beloved Lord and Savior.  In Jesus’ Awesome Name! Amen.

The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. 

He said, Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them.

Make the Lord of heaven’s Armies Holy in your life.  He is the one you should fear.  He is the One that should make you tremble.

Isaiah 8:11-13.

Beloved, what are you thinking? Who’s  telling you these things?  Who and what are you fearing?  Why do we fear man when we serve such an awesome God? Who is more than able to protect us and supply everyone of our needs!  The Lord said to fear Him and stop listening to the media and stop thinking like them, but  we are to make the Lord of heaven’s Armies holy in our lives.

Beloved, the word says that the Lord of host-  regard Him as holy and honor His holy name {by regarding Him as your only hope of safety}, and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread{lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him}.  And He shall be a sanctuary to{a sacred and indestructible asylum to them who reverently fear and trust in Him}.

Beloved, as Isaiah shared this warning God spoke to him with the Houses of Israel, this warning applies also to us this very day.  Let us not look to systems, governments, bail outs, or any thing or any one to help us.  But instead, I entreat you beloved to place your complete trust in God!  For  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.  (PS 100:3).

O God, my heart is fixed (steadfast, in the confidence of faith in You); I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the people; and I will sing praises unto You among the nations.

For Your mercy and loving-kindness are great and high as the heavens! Your truth and faithfulness reach to the skies!

(PS, 57:7-11)

Give us help against the adversary, for vain is the help of man. Through and with God we shall do valiantly, for He it is who shall tread down our adversary, {PS.60:5-12}

Sister Betty

In Him, I accept the Call to Trust in God Alone & and I reverently fear Him who can destroy both body and soul; but chooses to meet my every need.

Scripture References: Isaiah 8:11-16, Ps108:1,3,4,12-13.

Beloved, fret not, although we might in some form or fashion be affected in some way, as we observe the world’s systems fall apart at the seams.  And we hear on the news every time we tune in on our televisions, how the world appears to be in so much stress due to lost of jobs, homes, positions, fortunes; some have even gone as far as to take their lives and even those of their wives and children.  How many of us know, that it is not what happens to us  that will determine our outcome, but instead, it is how we response.  Our deliverance  is predicated upon whom/what we  are resting our faith upon and in whom or what we are  placing our trust in.  More importantly, it is predicated upon where are we storing up our treasures, for where we place your treasure, is where our hearts are found alson.  Let me remind all of us, that it is not wise to place in trust in these earthen vessels, but instead, build up your treasure in heaven where God himself is the overseer.  Let our dependency and trust be in God and His provision for us; do not fear, for God’s perfect, unconditional love for us, casts out all fear, just trust God!

King David  said, I have been young, and now I am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.  This poor man cried, and God saved him out of all his troubles. Beloved we need to trust that God got us.  the Word declares that,  the Angel of the Lord encamps around those who hear Him {who revere and worship him with awe} and each of them He delivers.

Beloved know that God is not good to us because we are good.  We just serve a good God who loves us with an everlasting love, in-spite of our shortcomings!  David, whom the word says was after God’s very heart, knew of His Goodness.  He cried out in (Psalm 145:20), O taste and see that the Lord {Our God} is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trust and takes refuge in Him. {1 Peter 2:2,3}.

Beloved be encouraged, check  out the last book, the last Chapter in the Holy Prophecy that God has written for us, in it you will find that the righteous in Christ are in a win win situation, our everlasting future is glorious and well planned (Revelation 22: 1-21). Please let us provoke  one another to believe first of all, that God is who He says He is!  Let us place our unwavering trust completely in the One and Only true and Living God.  He gives us His word, and if we have an unction to take anyone’s word, let me encourage you, to let that One be the Holy God who can not lie.  Beloved, trust God For this one thing, God says in (Jeremiah 29:11), For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

What then shall we say to {all} this? If God be for us, who {can be} against us:.{who and what can be our foe, if God is on our side?

Reference Scriptures:Psalm 34:6, 37:7 and Psalm 18:1, Roman 8:31.

Thank You Father God for being on our side. Thank You for being a very present help in time of troubles, thank You for supplying everyone of our needs according to Your riches and glory in Christ Jesus.  But God! Most of all, thank you for saving us and for our names being in the Lamb’s Book of Life!  Thank You for a crisis plan, that we can go to get help in times of troubles. Amen.

Sister Betty, In Him, I live, I move and I have my being!