Tag Archives: Bible Verse of the Day

In the Little Things

Posted on by yolandaberry
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One thing I’ve noticed about the Lord is that He operates in seasons, patterns and cycles. He also delights in the small things. Throughout the Bible, the Lord showed His power through operating in small things and making something out of nothing. Jesus multiplied seven loaves and two fishes to feed 5000 people. The woman and her son had more than enough oil and flour during a famine to feed Elijah while trusting in God’s promises. 1 Kings 17 Another woman multiplied her oil and sold it to pay off her debts. 2 Kings 4.1

In Matt 17:20 Jesus says, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

When you’re rooted in God, even your minuet ability to believe ignites the magnitude of God’s power. We live in a world where seeing is believing but in the supernatural, we walk by faith and not by sight. As the world continues to grow in darkness, chaos, and deception, we should hold fast to our faith and the promises of God. Do not despise the day of small beginnings. Zech 4:10 The Lord works His greatest miracles when we take insignificant steps of faith despite unknown outcome.

As we enter a new year, a new week, and a new day, whatever goals, plans, projects or assignments you’re considering, let it be a small step in the direction of elevation and progress. No matter how small it looks, the Lord will breathe on your movement of faith in action. The Lord will show Himself strong and mighty in the midst of unclarity, chaos or confusion. For God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corth 14:33 The Lord desires peace, order, and structure.

When you step out in faith, the Lord will meet you exactly where you are. In Proverbs 15:16, it states, “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures with trouble.” The Lord will prepare you for development, growth and capacity. There is a divine process which includes different stages and levels of development and growth to enable you to handle capacity. You cannot rush the process. The Lord will shape your character and every challenging experience that you walked through to be able to handle the pressure, weight and depth of your growth for the expansion of capacity. Your gifts, talents, abilities, and interests are packaged for your calling, purpose and assignment. Do not limit the Lord. He is omniscience, omnipotent and omni present. (Psalm 139, Isaiah 46:10, Psalm 139:1-4)

In Proverbs, 16:8-9 it states, “Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice.” A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Every step is a step in development leading to growth.

The Seed of Spiritual Development

Based on my experience, here are three spiritual growth phases. This is by no means the actual blueprint for your life process but only as a reference point. The Lord will divinely guide your path according to His will and plans for your life.

The Development Process

When you’re entering the phase of development. It is a season of preparation. It’s a time of exploring, discovering. experimenting and learning new things of interest. It’s a time of failure and pruning. It can be an uncomfortable process yet a time of self-discovery and fulfillment. It’s a space to embrace creativity. You may feel pulled in several directions or have no direction at all. It’s a time of isolation and idle time. Movement is slow paced. It’s a time to listen and be still.

The Growth Process

The growth process stretches you into the unknown. You seek clarity and wisdom. You do not dismiss any ideas but keep record of them. You are placed in harsh conditions to rely on God as your source. You’re constantly learning and possibly shifting to new areas to expand your knowledge and experiences. Your spiritual life becomes more tangible. You don’t see the world at surface level but understand there’s much more to life than material gain and success. Your values, morals, disciplines and principles are defined and aligned with the Lord.

The Expansion Process

The phase of expansion draws you even closer to the Lord. All reliance is based on confiding in the Lord for next steps. Courage, strength and resilience will knock on your door as you walk through higher levels of spiritual elevation and revelation. Although you may still struggle with fear or doubt, it doesn’t have the same power over you. You have authority over it. You will increase your capacity to handle tension and unstable environments with ease because you understand the power comes from the Lord who gives you the strength to overcome every scheme, plot or plan of the enemy. The creativity and ideas that the Lord has placed within you begin to surface like a seed planted in fertile ground. The years of development and growth take shape and blossom like cypress tree.

Characteristic of a cypress tree searched on Google:

Key Characteristics

  • Foliage: Typically small, scale-like leaves that hug the stems, giving a feathery look, though young plants have needle-like leaves.
  • Shape: Often conical or columnar, but can vary by species.
  • Cones: Small, woody, and round (globose).
  • Bark: Varies but often peels in strips.
  • Habitat: Many prefer moist or wet conditions, like the Bald Cypress, which thrives in water

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Isaiah 55:13

Trust in the plan that God has for your life. He is faithful to complete the work that He has entrusted you with. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1;6

Characteristics of a myrtle tree researched on Google:

True Myrtle (Myrtus communis)

  • Description: An evergreen shrub or small tree with fragrant leaves and sweet-smelling white flowers, producing dark berries.
  • Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region.
  • Uses: Culinary (spices), medicinal (essential oils), ornamental, and symbolic in traditions for love, beauty, and devotion. 

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Related Bible Verses

Hosea 14:8

8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

Luke 16:10

10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

1 Corth 1:28

28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,

James 3:3-5

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Prov 30:24-28

“Four things on earth are small,
    yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength,
    yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 hyraxes are creatures of little power,
    yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts have no king,
    yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand,
    yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

1 Corth 1:27

27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

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How to Avoid Temptation

Posted on by yolandaberry
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The devil often tempts us at our weakest point. He will use our emotions when we are vulnerable. When he sees that we are tired, hungry, sad, angry, or afraid, he will strategically plan his attack. However, the devil is not creative. He will use the same tactics, plots or schemes over and over again.

The Lord is the creator of all things and by His power and authority He has all the ability to create, form, shape, mold, and design according to His plan and purpose for our lives.

In the Wilderness

When Jesus was fasting in the wilderness, the devil tempted Him “Five” times. The devil came to Him when He was weak and hungry. It’s often when we lack a physical or emotional need that the devil tempts us. Our strongest defense is to reflect on the reaction of Jesus in the wilderness. He used the Word of God to confront the attack of Satan. He spoke with authority every time Satan tried to persuade Him.

In the passage in Matt 4:7-9, it states, “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord they God. Again, the devil takes Him up to an exceedingly high mountain and showery Him all Kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them and he says to thee, all these things will I give to thee if thou will fall down and worship me.

Satan will distort or magnify a specific target to make his proposal so appealing so you will fall into the snare or trap of his devices.

We must stay on guard and be mindful at all times because we will be constantly tested. As the passage states in Matt 26:41 “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” So, we must constantly build up our spiritual nature to combat the attacks of the enemy.

The devil is a con artist. He will manipulate or persuade his target to get his way. When you are aware of his plans or schemes, you’re able to confront the attack by speaking the scriptures over your situation to dismantle every dart the enemy throws your way.

When you’re aware of the temptation, you may have to physically remove yourself from the situation. If you find yourself in a constant battle with the flesh, having self-control of your thoughts and your desires, you trick yourself into thinking that you will defeat the enemy in your own strength. However, we must be empowered by the Holy Spirit and the Blood of Jesus to walk in victory and to overcome the slick moves of the devil.

Be sober and viligent; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walking about seeking whom he may devour. 1Peter 5:8

In the Garden of Eden

The devil used sly, cunning tactics to convince Eve to eat from the Tree of Life. In the Book of Genesis, the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, “You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.

“Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

In both cases, the devil promised that they would be more like God with either power or wisdom. The devil twisted his words to convince Eve otherwise and enticed her to disobey. Let your eyes be open to the sneak attacks of the enemy.

In the Womb of Infertility

Sometimes, the Lord uses a crises to teach us about patience, obedience, belief, faith and trust. In the story of Abraham and Sarah, enticement was also used to lure her husband.

By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Heb 11:17

Abraham, to produce a child from Hagar. This was out of compromise of faith and out of the will of God for their lives. When you’re bound to fleshy desires and human passions, it will cause disastrous results. When you allow your emotions to override the divine will of God, it will cause division or conflict in your body, mind or spirit.

In the Heat of the Moment

David lusted over a beautiful woman after watching her bath while he walked on the roof of the king’s house. He requested for the woman named Bathsheba who was wife of Uriah, and slept with her. She became pregnant. Due to his sin of adultery, David plotted to murder Uriah by ordering him to the frontlines of war to deliberately kill him to hide his affair.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corth 10:13

In the Fiery Furnace

Another attempt of temptation was when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego worshipped only the one true God. They lived amongst a city where there was idol worship. They refused to bow down to any false idol.They were subject to great peer pressure from their community and suffered great temptation to follow the tradition ordered by King Nebachadnezzar to worship a golden statue symbolized of his power and glory. Unfortunately, they were thrown into a fiery furnace. The King even turned the heat up seven times hotter but they weren’t burned.

King Nebuchadnezzar was shocked when he saw four men walking amongst the flames. He immediately called the guards to release them from the furnace.

Through the deliverance, he granted them freedom to worship as they desired and was given a royal promotion in honor,

In the Test of Faith

In the story of Job, the devil requested authorization from the Lord to test the faithfulness of Job. Job was harshly tested and faced many temptations, sickness, and loss, however Job never lost his faith and received complete restoration of all that was lost.

In the Belly of a Whale

Jonah was given a specific assignment to go to Nineveh to address the sin in the land. It was a city full of evil and wickedness. Instead, Jonah ran from his assignment of the Lord. He jumped on a boat and sailed the opposite direction to a place called Tarshish.

The Lord created a massive storm upon the waters and the men threw Jonah overboard because they felt he caused the turbulence. After being thrown overboard, the storm suddenly stopped. The Lord sent a large whale to swallow Jonah.The Lord was shielding and protecting him from drowning and from the other animals in the ocean.

Jonah repented, prayed and praised God. The Lord answered his prayer by allowing the whale to throw him up which was near the city of Nineveh. Jonah preached in the city and warned them to repent. The people listened in obedience despite the corruption and chaos and the Lord had mercy on them.

Unfortunately, Jonah struggled with his heart condition and became bitter because he felt the people didn’t deserve God’s grace and mercy however the Lord was more concerned about the hearts of the people and restoring the land. Jonah was disciplined due to his disposition.

Even the people of Israel, suffered great temptations. They had several cases of doubt, fear and unbelief on their journey to the promised land. They fell into temptation when Moses did not return from Mount Sinai when they expected. They created a golden calf to worship and challenged Moses with every decision or move he made along the way.

So he called the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not.” Exodus 17:7

These are great examples of how to avoid temptation. Not all temptation is related to fornication or promiscuity. the devil comes in many ways to attack us at our weakest points. We must understand the tactics, schemes and devices to override the plans he uses.

Here are seven ways to overcome temptation.

1. Speak the Word of God in the area of attack

2. Be obedient to God’s voice

3. Learn how to be patient and wait on God

4. Run from temptation

5. Stand strong in faith and your convictions

6. Walk in faith no matter the circumstances or situation

7. Listen to the Lord’s instructions and face opposition with courage and boldness

We will not always be perfect but we must turn away from temptation at all cost. We have a loving Father who desires our whole heart. He is a forgiving Father that supplies us with His grace and mercy.

Prayer

Lord, help us to walk with you through the valley of temptation. Strengthen our heart and mind to focus and lean on you at all times. Continue the new work in us by transforming us to be molded and shaped in the potter’s hands, so we can be representatives for your Kingdom to bring glory to your name. In Jesus name, Amen.

Additional Bible References:

James 1:12-16

I Peter 5-8

2 Sam 22:2-3

2 Sam 22:7, 17, 31

Psalm 32

Psalm 38

Psalm 3

Psalm 63

Dan 3:25, 28

Num 14:22-24

Rooted in Christ for His Glory

Posted on by yolandaberry
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And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” Gen 3:22

Strong leadership starts in the church and filters into all spheres of society. Pastors and leaders must not only confront the issues of racism and hatred but the sins of lust and adultery, covetousness, jealousy and greed in their congregations. Saints must learn how to war against Jezebel and religious spirits as well as rebuke every appearance of evil.

We cannot continue to water down the gospel to what people want to hear and accept. We have to stand on God’s laws and his promises. We must crucify our flesh and develop a spirit of righteousness and holiness governed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

It starts with preaching the true love of Christ. Unfortunately, injustice and equality have been overlooked in the church but we can no longer ignore such issues as race or compromise the truth of the gospel by avoiding topics of sin, repentance and the gift of salvation.

Everybody is seeking their own status, power, influence and authority instead of preaching the true Gospel.

Let us not be swayed by the wiles of the devil’s devices, distractions and diversions. Time is short. We cannot continue to play church as usual. Souls are at stake in this last hour. It is midnight in America and around the globe. The decisions and changes we make now will shift the atmosphere to destroy some of the deception and chaos erupting in our cities.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt 16:18

Biblical prophecy will be fulfilled so we must reach as many souls as possible for the end time harvest.

The people have lost their way but the church has lost their way as well. We must rise up to shine the light of Christ in all that we say and do. We are made in God’s image and must walk in our true identity in Christ as a reflection of his love.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Eph 4:14

The responsibility lies on our shoulders as a body of believers. Let us resist the ways of the world and adapt the ways of Jesus to be salt and light in a world that does not desire the flavor of truth. Do not quench the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for one another and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us now and forever more.

Related Scriptures

Jer 23:1-2

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.

2 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.

Jer 23:11-12

For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord.

12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.

Jer 23:32

Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the Lord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord.

Jer 48:10

Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully.

Luke 19:46

46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-25

Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

Hosea 4:1-3

Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

Hosea 4:6-7

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

Hosea 6:1

Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

Hosea 6:6

6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Matthew 13:24-30

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Matt 25:32-46

32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Heb 6:4-6

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.