Stokes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

Stokes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Preaching and teaching the word of God

09/01/2026

MAKE EVERY EFFORT-2Timothy 2:15(NCV)
“Make every effort to give yourself to God as the kind of person he will approve. Be a worker who is not ashamed and who uses the true teaching in the right way.”

Good morning. God has given us a new month, a new day, and new mercies. It simply makes Good Gospel Sense that we make every effort to please Him! This post is purposed for the stirring up of our posture as it relates to our inactivity. This inactivity has very little to do with our doing “things” (feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, etc.) Our inactivity is in the simplest form, which is, applying the Word (spiritual growth). While effort has nothing to do with our salvation, it has much to do with our spiritual growth. Our growth lends itself to the condition of our environment (positive or negative). We must “make every effort” to exemplify what Christ has called us.

13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 MSG)

Christ has given us the assignment and we, as believers, must make every effort to measure up. Let us define these words as recorded in Webster’s New World Dictionary. Make: to bring into being; to prepare for use. Every: the fullest possible; all that there could be. Effort: use of energy to do something; physical or mental exertion; a try, attempt. From these definitions, we can see our posture as it relates to our growth.

There are eight scriptures that have “make every effort”; seven are recorded in the NIV and one is recorded in the NCV. These scriptures challenge all believers to personal growth. Luke 13:24-“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Romans 14:19-“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Ephesian 4:3-“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Hebrews 4:11-“Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.” Hebrews 12:14-“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 2Peter 3:14 “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” All of the cited scriptures are from the New International Version of the Bible. The eighth scripture which is also our textual scripture is recorded in the New Century Version of the Bible. 2Timothy 2:15 “Make every effort to give yourself to God as the kind of person he will approve. Be a worker who is not ashamed and who uses the true teaching in the right way.”
Our text illuminates the need for growth. The study and application of God’s Word will draw unbelievers to the “New and Living Way”. Seemingly, we put forth much effort in activities that do not promote personal spiritual growth. Christ commands us: John 14:15 “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.” (MSG) “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (NASB) Please note the effort in this verse— “show it by doing”/ “you will keep.” We must “search the scriptures” (John 5:39) to ascertain our faith walk. We often sing and say “I want to be like Jesus”, what effort are we putting forth to evidence this in our personhood? How do we love our enemy? How do we love our neighbors as we do ourselves? How do we not judge others?

These questions are to make us aware of what we could or could not be doing. Once we “make every effort” (sincerely) in applying God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will aid us in the changing of our behavior; thusly, producing GROWTH. We must not feel discouraged. We must not wait to feel power or confidence. We must move ahead in our weakness, doing the right thing in spite of our fears and feelings. This is how we cooperate with the Holy Spirit; it is how our character develops. Paul gives us a word of encouragement as recorded in his letter to the Church at Philippi. “I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running and I’m not turning back.” (Philippians 3:10-14 MSG)

08/25/2026

The Constant Presence of Jesus -Psalms 139
May we be reminded of Jesus’ suffering for us and how He has conquered death and the grave. God has raised His Son from the grave, and He now sits at His side interceding for us. Even though He is not with us in Flesh, He is in Spirit. He promised and has kept His promise of sending us a comforter. Everyone who believes in their heart that God sent His Son to reconcile us back to Him and confesses that he/she has sinned, and Jesus has given His BLOOD as that cleansing agent is saved (Rom.10:8-10). Therefore, we are growing into the ever-abiding presence of the Lord. We are INDWELLED with His SPIRIT! We must grow to know and exemplify what the Psalmist declares: “I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. 9 If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. 11 If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. 12 For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.” 139:7-12 {TLB)

Our journey, in following Jesus, will parallel His. And…being a covenant partner, we are assured that our security lies with Him (“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone sn**ch them out of My hand.” Jn.10:28). May we realize that we are not fixers of God’s creation. All that we do is simply, He is working through us. We are His WORKMANSHIP and created in Christ Jesus to produce GOOD FRUIT!! (Eph.2:10) When we read the Bible, we must see Jesus on every page. His encounters will create in us an alikeness. Do we associate/speak to persons as Jesus did? When Jesus met the woman at the well, (John 4) He broke all social norms. He was not afraid to mingle and touch the physical afflicted, they were physically and spiritually healed. He Touched the Untouchables. (Lk. 5:12-16)

May I suggest to you, the reader, do not be dismayed in your well doing, your physicality and the whereabouts of Jesus. Make this your testimony as the Psalmist: “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. 15 You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! 16 You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!” 139:13-16 (TLB)
Let us have Faithful Enthusiasm, based upon God’s word, as we travel The King’s Highway. Allow me to use this old show tune title: “You’ll Get Your Kicks on Route 66.” (The Bible) LET US PRAISE GOD FOR WHO HE IS…AMEN, AMEN

08/18/2026

The Salvific Ministry of Jesus-Matthew 18:10-12-KJV
Have we considered the purpose of Jesus? Yes, we quote John 3:16; however, do we seriously meditate and follow through? Are we believing in Jesus? Are we readily receiving everyone as a candidate for salvation? Are we sharing the Gospel with “whosoever?” Jesus was approached with a question: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” [18:1b] He summons a little child to come sit with Him and answers the question: “verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” [18:3]

This writer smiles and enjoys the simplicity of Jesus’ teaching. Little children have innocence acceptance. Jesus states it this way: “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receives me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it was better for him that a millstone was hanged about his neck, and that he was drowned in the depth of the sea.” [18:4-6] God has sent His Son and His Son has come to save the lost. Are we acknowledging this truth by being His Ambassadors? We must not have nor practice respect of person. Do we not know that Jesus desires Humility from his followers. Humility does not mean thinking less of oneself, (reversal) think of oneself less. Jesus speaks: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the “Son of man” has come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he finds it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.” [18:10-13]

These little ones [anyone who will humbly repent and come to Jesus for salvation] are also the object of the tender Shepherd’s saving ministry. Even if one out of a hundred sheep go astray, He leaves the ninety-nine and searches for the lost one till He finds it. The Shepherd’s joy over finding a straying sheep should teach us to value and respect His little ones. Jesus gives this open invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” [Mt.11:28] Jesus is beckoning to all. His desire is that all who are committed to His Salvific plan to: “Go ye therefore…” (Matthew 28:19-20) We dare not say: Psalms 119:105- “Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps,
a light that shows the path I should take.” (ERV) if we are not declaring JESUS SAVES!!! Please note: “Modern religion focuses on filling Churches with people, The True Gospel emphasizes filling People with God.” Amen! Psalms 68:1 NKJV “Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.”

08/11/2026

The Border Patrol-Psalms 23:6 NKJV
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”

On Wednesday morning, April 29, 2026, the Holy Spirit gave me this phrase: “The Border Patrol.” As I sit here, I am still reading, meditating, and waiting for directions. Thus far, I have received Psalms 23:6. In this verse we find two of God’s attributes—Goodness and Mercy. (NKJV) If we are sheep and God is our Shepherd; we may accept Goodness and Mercy as two sheep dogs that guard our border. God’s Word Translation states it this way: - “Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the Lord’s house for days without end.”

Goodness and Mercy will Stay Close (Follow) to us. We testify with the Psalmist: “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” (31:19) Our “newness of life comes with benefits. Our border is protected; God has a fence all around us. Satan stated this fact about God-fearing Job: “Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?” (1:10) God has not changed; He does the same for present day Saints [Heb. 13:8- “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”] “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” [Psalms 91:7] The Border Patrol is at work!

If we are trusting in the Faithfulness of God, why are we disgruntled and not complacent? Our trusting the truth of God’s Word must manifest in our behavior. Are we not getting clarity when we study the scriptures? Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.” We readily recite the “a” section of this verse, and our response suggests a misunderstanding. We are not immune to trials and tribulations; these weapons will be formed, but they will not prosper. The “b” section: “every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.” This does not mean that we are judge nor jury; the remainer of this verse informs us about our border: “This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.” All that we are and ever hope to be simply because of God’s Grace. We are the sheep of His pasture, and He has “Goodness and Mercy” guarding our border. We must Walk in His Word and know that our home will be with The Lord forever, Amen!!

08/04/2026

Do Good to Please God-MT. 6:1-4-The Voice
Matthew records the “Sermon on the Mount” {chapters 5-7}. Chapter six, verses one through four, will serve as our foundational text. As we venture through this post, please be mindful of the audience that Jesus is teaching. The early followers and now us. If you, the reader, are at least the age of ten years, this lesson is for you. The world’s influence has us in darkness. Our charitable deeds must be God centered according to His Word. However, we have learned and behave otherwise. John 14:15 gives us a graceful command, the verse starts with “If” {freewill} — “If you love Me, obey the commandments I have given you.” {The Voice} Thus, He speaks: “But when you do these righteous acts, do not do them in front of spectators. Don’t do them where you can be seen, let alone lauded, by others. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to the poor, do not boast about it, announcing your donations with blaring trumpets as the play actors do. Do not brazenly give your charity in the synagogues and on the streets; indeed, do not give at all if you are giving because you want to be praised by your neighbors. Those people who give in order to reap praise have already received their reward. 3-4 When you give to the needy, do it in secret—even your left hand should not know what your right hand is doing. Then your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” {Mt.6:1-4-The Voice}

Yes, we hear and see more of the world’s behavior and our adoption of this discipline will lead to drifting from God. The Bible gives us instructions on giving charitably and yet we do things to please humankind and not God. Our helping of others is needed and commanded by God. Nevertheless, He does not ask us to give a Missionary Report. We must not have a Pharisaical mentality: “They are interested, above all, in presentation: they wrap their heads and arms in the accoutrements of prayer, they cloak themselves with flowing tasseled prayer garments,” {Mt.23:5-The Voice} Are we seeking to please God or Humankind? Exalting ourselves {we are humankind} is not pleasing to God. Our text states: “When you give to the poor, do not boast about it, announcing your donations with blaring trumpets as the play actors do” We are informed in Mt. 23:12-[Voice}- “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” We do not have to look for the world’s light. Jesus has given it to every true worshipper: {Matthew 5:14- Voice} “And you, beloved, are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden.” May we agree to “let” our light shine, not “make” it shine?

Do good to please God. “You who have left your house and your fields, or your brothers and sisters, or your father and mother, or even your children in order to follow Me, at that time when all is renewed, you will receive so much more: you will receive 100 times what you gave up. You will inherit eternal life. 30 Many of those who are the first will be last, and those who are the last will be first.” {Mt.19:29-30-Voice} Please note and know: {“Good people are not going to Heaven, forgiven people are!”} Do Good to Please God: Col.3:17- “Surely, no matter what you are doing (speaking, writing, or working), do it all in the name of Jesus our Master, sending thanks through Him to God our Father.” {Voice}

07/28/2026

ASKING GOD-Luke 11:9-10-NKJV
“So, I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

It is true that God has given us freewill in asking Him for what we want. However, we must not misunderstand the scripture in thinking asking Him is like asking a genie in a fairy tale. Not So!! Although some may think this is the case, but I John 5:14 qualifies what He will grant: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything [according to His will,] He hears us." Our communion with God through prayer necessitates common thoughts between His mind and ours.

Before we pray, what we need is for Him to fill our minds and hearts with His thoughts. [read, study, and meditate upon His Word] Then His desires will become our desires flowing back to Him as we use this gift of prayer. James 4:3 confirms and gives clarity: "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." If we ask amiss, we are certainly not asking according to His will, and we will not receive. The Psalmist gives more clarity to our responsibility in receiving answers to our prayer: 37:4-“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Yes, Jesus does say in John 16:23, "Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you" And this is most assuredly true, but we still do not have a “blank check.” To ask God for anything in the name of Jesus Christ, it must be in keeping with what He is and what He would ask. We are speaking through Him. [Jesus spoke to Thomas: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6] Therefore, it is necessary to set aside our own will and accept God's. Notice the behavior of Jesus in John 8:29: "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." Thus, If we behave like Jesus, we are sure to receive answers as He did. His gratitude and confidence is recorded in John 11:41-42: "Father, I thank you that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me."

This writer’s prayer is that we realize that prayer is not dictating to God. It is a humble and sincere expression of our love, and our attitude of dependency on Him. We are being totally submissive to His will and content with what He chooses to give. Just know, He has promised and He will deliver in supplying our needs. May we strive to this place of confidence: 1 John 5:14-15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” Amen, Amen, Amen.

07/21/2026

HUNGER and THIRST-MT.5:6 NIRV-July
“Blessed is those who are hungry and thirsty for what is right. They will be filled.”
Isa.65:13- “So the Lord and King say, 'Those who serve me will have food to eat. But you will be hungry. My servants will have plenty to drink. But you will be thirsty. Those who serve me will be full of joy. But you will be put to shame.”
Prov.10:3 “The Lord gives those who do right the food they need. But He lets those who do wrong go hungry.”
Prov.13:4 “People who refuse to work want things and get nothing. But the desires of people who work hard are completely satisfied.”

These scriptures address the spiritual and physical needs of humankind. Consider this question: Do I give full attention to both? It is this writer’s prayerful hope that all who read this post will sincerely answer the question. We are present because of God’s grace; we have not sustained our being. Yes, we have followed some instructions that contributed to our physical and spiritual well-being. Therefore, we know how to follow instructions. May we be reminded and/or be introduced to God’s instruction on feeding the spiritual man.

Jesus is teaching from the mountainside, and He says these words: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” [Mt.5:6-NKJV] He extends His grace to all who will do their part, Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness. The Good News Translation states it this way: “Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!” The words of the text are informational, inspiring, and satisfying. Do you, the reader, want to be happy and completely satisfied? If your answer is yes, make your greatest desire be--to do what God requires. What does God require? [Matthew 22:37b-40-NIRV- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 And the second is like it. ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ 40 Everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets is based on these two commandments.” Are we making a conscious effort to follow these life-giving words?

Adherence to the Word and the discipline of LOVE must not be too big for us. Do we not know that love is not worked for; it is given/produced by the Spirit of God? {Gal.5:22a} The love worked for is fleshly, it seeks its desire. [Gal.5:19] The love that God gives seeks to bless others. Philippians 2:3-4-NIRV “Don’t do anything only to get ahead. Don’t do it because you are proud. Instead, be humble. Value others more than yourselves. 4 None of you should look out just for your own good. Each of you should also look out for the good of others.” Are we Hungering and Thirsting?

We should not be empty if we seek the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. {Mt.6:33} The time is NOW! As followers of Christ, our reception and practice of God’s requirements will change the environment. Jesus has assigned us as LIGHT and SALT bearers. [Mt.5:13-14] We are informed in Amos 8:11- “The Lord and King announce, "The days are coming when I will send hunger through the land. But people will not be hungry for food. They will not be thirsty for water. Instead, they will be hungry to hear a message from me.” Will we be the willing, yielded vessels for God and shout the words of Jesus: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry. And whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” [John 6:35] He fills the physical and spiritual man. Ps. 107:9-NLT- “For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Jesus has promised to supply our every need, and He is not slack concerning His promises. We must study, meditate, and do His words.
"The Bible is meant to be Bread for Daily use, not Cake for special occasions."

07/14/2026

GOOD TREE OR BAD TREE? Matthew 7:16-18-NLT
We know our earthly assignment from God isn’t judging others for their behavior. Jesus has taught us: “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” [Mt.7:1-3-NLT] He gives us clarity: “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.” [Mt.7:16-18-NLT]

The questions that arise for all followers of Jesus is: ‘What fruit am I bearing—Am I a good tree or a bad tree?’ In an effort to discover our position, we must humbly present ourselves before the Lord and talk with him as the Psalmist: “O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? 22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” [139:21-24-NLT] Are we afraid to admit and/or confront our mind/heart behavior? We cannot grow until we make our confession known. Jesus, because He is Omniscient, He is aware of our total being. However, He has instructed us: “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.” [1Jn. 1:8-10-NLT]

When we look in the mirror, God’s Word, we will recognize the bad tree or the good tree as we walk this faith journey. [Gal.5:19-23-NLT] As aforementioned, “A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.” Which tree are you? We are identified by the fruit we bear. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another” [Gal. 5:24-26-NLT]
“Live without pretending, Love without depending, listen without defending, Talk without offending.”

07/07/2026

He Who Is In You 1John 4:4 (1-4) NKJV
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

“What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus; What can make us Whole again? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus! O precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow, no other fount I know; Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.” This is our Testimony, and our Testimony is True. Thus, our posture in life should be getting firmer daily. We must not let what we see and hear diminish what we know about Jesus. God has given the Apostle John these words of Affirmation: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Many, and/or all of us have said or heard these powerful words. The question that all of us must ask ourselves is simply this: Am I responding positively to this affirmation?’ The Apostle James helps us in finding the answer: [1:20-22] “for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Are we willing to practice what we know about Jesus’ program? Every believer has been indwelled with The Holy Spirit. John 14:15-18-NLT- 15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.”

If we allow His leadership, our lives will be peaceful, and we will not follow “every wind and doctrine”. The Apostle John informs: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” Let us Stand Firm and exemplify the Word of God! 4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is GREATER THAN he who is in the world.” Just know, our God is Sovereign; He has ALL Power in His hands! “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.” [Heb.11:6-NLT]
“When the devil tries to bring up your past, tell him about his future.”
DO NOT GIVE UP ON GOD!

06/30/2026

IT IS MINE-JOHN 15:7
This post is purposed for provocation and application. Scripturally speaking, we may not be aware that our ending to our prayer may hinder the answer. Many times we say “If it be thy will” and certainly everything moves by the power of God. However, if God has made a promise, He is faithful in keeping it. We may be assured of answered prayers if we meet the conditions and can thusly say---IT IS MINE.
John 15:7 states: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” The question that we might ask is: “Is this statement true?” This question will make us cognizant of our faithfulness or our faithlessness. Following Christ is a faith journey; we must believe every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. We must believe that He is and He is a rewarder to them that diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:6) The language of John 15:7 gives the all-inclusive condition of answered prayer to each believer.

Please note the conditions in the “a-b” section of verse seven. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you…”Before we ask anything from God, preparation must be done. We are baptized believer and have been adopted into the family of God, however, our obedience to our Father is necessary for granted requests. He says: “I Am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” (Jn. 15:1,4) We must have Jesus as the object of our faith. Our walk with Him must be deliberate. The production of fruit is dependent upon our knowledge of and obedience to God’s word. Christ gives us the state of true believers in verse three of John 15—“Now ye are clean through the word that I have spoken unto you.” The word “NOW” is not used in this sentence as a transition. It is an expression of time. Christ spoke this before the cross and Pentecost. He has the authority. Just as He told the early disciples, likewise, we are cleansed by the word of God.
Thusly, if the conditions are met, the “c” section of verse seven is “Good News”. “…ye shall ask what ye will.” Seemingly, we misunderstand this section when we pray—“If it be thy will”. There is erroneous thought and speech concerning wants and needs. When someone says—“God will not give you what you want but what you need”—is simply unscriptural. The answer to all of our prayers is dependent upon us. A true believer can get what he wants and needs. Note these words of truth. Psalm 23:1; 34:9-10; 84:11- “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”- “O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.”- “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Why do we think/say that God will not give us what we want? These are Old Covenant Scriptures, and the New Covenant Scriptures are in harmony.

Matthew 7:7-11-“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Mark 11:22-24-“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” 1 John 3:19-22-“And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”

If we believe in the Word of God and do what it instructs, all of our desires and needs will be met. A prayer saying “If it be thy will” concerning anything God has promised is really one of doubt and unbelief. His will is His word and if we ask in faith, nothing wavering, our request is granted. Therefore, any believer who meets the conditions of John 15:7 can shout with enthusiastic glee—IT IS MINE!!

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